AirAsia inaugurates two new routes to Pontianak, solidifying its presence in Kalimantan, Indonesia

KUCHING, 12 September 2025 - AirAsia (flight code AK) today launched two direct routes to Pontianak, Indonesia, connecting the province of West Kalimantan with Malaysian cities of Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, further cementing its position as the airline with the widest network between Malaysia and Indonesia, and reinforcing its commitment to improving regional connectivity and shared economic growth.

Guests on the inaugural flight from Kuching to Pontianak (AK1781) were given a send-off by Minister for Transport Sarawak, YB Dato' Sri Lee Kim Shin, who then together with Acting Consul General of Indonesia in Kuching Mr Musa Derek Sairwona and their delegates boarded the flight for an official visit to the capital of West Kalimantan.

On its return, flight AK1782 from Pontianak arrived at Kuching International Airport to a warm welcome with a celebratory reception featuring cultural performances to mark the milestone. Arriving guests from Pontianak were greeted by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan, AirAsia Malaysia CEO Dato' Captain Fareh Mazputra and Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Mdm Sharzede Salleh Askor, together with representatives from Malaysia Airports, government departments and key private hospitals in Kuching.

At Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, guests arriving on the inaugural flight AK491 from Pontianak were greeted by Tourism Malaysia together with AirAsia Management.

These flights by AirAsia mark the first international services at Pontianak's Supadio Airport, following the reinstatement of its international status in June 2025. A special welcoming ceremony for the visiting dignitaries, jointly organised by the airport authority Angkasa Pura Indonesia and the West Kalimantan Province Transportation Agency, graced by the Governor of West Kalimantan Drs Ria Norsan and Malaysian Consul in Pontianak En Azizul Zekri Abdul Rahim.

YB Dato' Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister for Transport Sarawak said: "I am very pleased that the Kuching-Pontianak route is now back in service after five years. Instead of land journeys that take between six to eight hours, travellers between Kuching and Pontianak can now reach their destinations in under an hour. This is not just a milestone for the aviation industry but also a testament to the strong historical, cultural and familial ties shared by the people. This connectivity will definitely boost tourism, business, and strengthen ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan."

YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak said: "I commend AirAsia for launching this new route, which benefits not only Sarawak but also Malaysia and our neighbours. With Sarawak on track to achieve five million visitor arrivals this year and tourism receipts exceeding RM1 billion monthly, this new route will further support our efforts to attract more travellers that will boost our tourism industry and this definitelty augurs well with our vision of making Sarawak a regional hub for creative industry and performing arts."

Dato' Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, said: "Following the success of our recent route launches in Palembang and beyond, Indonesia remains one of our most important markets. We are proud to reconnect Pontianak with both Kuching and Kuala Lumpur. These routes not only provide greater convenience for our guests but also open more opportunities for tourism and business between Malaysia and Indonesia. With our extensive network and affordable fares, AirAsia is committed to strengthening ties between neighbouring countries and driving regional growth."

Mdm Sharzede Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board said: "We are excited to see the reinstatement of direct air connectivity between Kuching and Pontianak, which has always been an important market for Sarawak. This route will not only make it more convenient for our neighbours in West Kalimantan to travel for leisure, medical, education and business purposes, but also further strengthen our role as the gateway to Borneo. With international arrivals to Sarawak continuing to grow steadily this year, this timely connectivity will help us attract more visitors from Pontianak and beyond, while showcasing our rich culture, pristine nature, and unique adventure offerings. We look forward to building on this momentum as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026."

AirAsia Malaysia (AK) continues to strengthen its connectivity to Indonesia with flights to 18 destinations. From Kuala Lumpur, the airline currently serves Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Medan, Yogyakarta, Banda Aceh, Makassar, Padang, Pekanbaru, Balikpapan, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Palembang, Semarang and Pontianak with Banjarmasin set to commence on 20 October 2025. AirAsia connects Kuching to Pontianak, as well as Penang to Jakarta and Medan, further enhancing travel accessibility between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Flight Schedule between Kuching (KCH) and Pontianak (PNK):