On March 12, TravelDaily observed via AirAsia’s mini-program that direct flights between Ningbo and Kota Kinabalu (BKI) will no longer be available for booking after March 28. Passengers traveling from Ningbo to Kota Kinabalu must now take connecting flights via Kuala Lumpur.
The Ningbo-Kota Kinabalu route had just resumed operations on January 22 this year, with a planned schedule of four weekly flights. However, it will be suspended by late March, lasting only two months.
Similarly, direct flights between Wuhan and Kota Kinabalu will also be affected. TravelDaily noted that the route will be suspended starting April 8.
According to a seperate AirAsia announcement, the airline will relocate its domestic operations from Subang Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA T2) starting April 27 to optimize capacity and enhance efficiency.
The airline cited a 16% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic between Kuala Lumpur and key destinations like Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Consolidating operations at KLIA T2 will better accommodate this growing demand, according to AirAsia.
Industry analysts, however, suggest that these route suspensions may be linked to declining load factors amid intensifying competition.
Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region—are increasingly choosing flights to Japan, diverting potential passengers
Additionally, many white-collar workers in the region are based in Shanghai, where direct flights to Kota Kinabalu are already available.
Over the past two years, Southeast Asia’s booming economy and surging tourism demand have driven airlines to expand aggressively.
To capture more market share, airlines have not only strengthened connections between major cities but also launched direct flights to niche tourist destinations. This relentless expansion has further intensified competition in the region.
