AirAsia is expanding its domestic network in Malaysia by reintroducing direct flights connecting Kota Kinabalu to Sibu and Bintulu starting in November 2026, according to scheduling data published by AeroRoutes and reported by the Borneo Post. The routes are designed to restore direct air connectivity between Sabah and central Sarawak, sparing travelers from mandatory layovers or connecting flights.
Kota Kinabalu to Bintulu Flight Schedule and Frequencies
According to AeroRoutes and DayakDaily, the Kota Kinabalu to Bintulu direct service will resume on November 1, 2026. AirAsia will operate the route with a frequency of three flights per week. The carrier will deploy Airbus A320 aircraft on the sector, matching the fleet type designated for the wider regional network revival, as reported by kuchingborneo.info.
Kota Kinabalu to Sibu Direct Route Details
The Kota Kinabalu to Sibu direct service will restart on November 2, 2026, operating four times a week, as detailed by AeroRoutes and the Borneo Post. AirAsia’s booking system indicates that the flight duration between Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and Sibu Airport (SBW) takes approximately one hour and 10 minutes, while the reverse journey averages one hour and 15 minutes, according to kuchingborneo.info. Fares for selected November flights on the route start from approximately RM143 one-way, while return flights from Sibu to Kota Kinabalu start around RM135, depending on travel dates, availability, and specific booking conditions cited by kuchingborneo.info.
Broader Capacity Shifts in East Malaysia
Alongside AirAsia’s domestic route resumption, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are also boosting flight frequencies on Sarawak routes to accommodate passenger traffic, according to the Borneo Post. The restored connections provide crucial transit links for business and leisure travelers moving between Sabah and Sarawak without requiring alternative routing.
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