At a glance
- Company
- AirAsia
- Announcement
- Expansion
- Location
- Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Key figures
- Routes from Kota Kinabalu across the group
- 30 routes
- Weekly flights from Kota Kinabalu across the group
- 387 flights weekly
- Flight number
- AK1797
- Departure time
- 8.50 am
- Arrival time
- 11.00 am local time
People
- Drs Steven OE KandouwRepresentative of North Sulawesi Governor
- Rafail WalangitanConsulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu
Products and programs
MANADO, September 2, 2024 -- AirAsia today celebrates the maiden flight from Kota Kinabalu to Manado, the capital city of North Sulawesi and the second largest city in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island.
Photo Caption: AirAsia Flight AK1797 was given the customary water cannon salute on arrival in Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado, North SulawesiFlight AK1797 was given the customary water cannon salute on arrival in Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado, North Sulawesi
Operated by AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK), the flight departed Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 8.50 am and landed at Sam Ratulangi International Airport at 11.00 am local time.
Flight AK1797 was given the customary water cannon salute on arrival in Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado, North Sulawesi and arriving guests were warmly received by Drs Steven OE Kandouw, Representative of North Sulawesi Governor, Rafail Walangitan, Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu; Drs Steven OE Kandouw, Ratulangi Airport Management and AirAsia Allstars.
This new route reaffirms AirAsia's commitment to providing more travel options from Kota Kinabalu its second-largest hub in Malaysia for both domestic and international destinations with a total of 30 routes with 387 flights weekly as a Group.
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Questions around this news
Which airline operated the inaugural flight to Manado, and what was its flight code?
The release says AirAsia Malaysia operated the inaugural service under the flight code AK. The flight number was AK1797. On arrival at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, the aircraft received a customary water cannon salute, and arriving guests were welcomed by representatives from North Sulawesi, the Indonesian consulate in Kota Kinabalu, the airport, and AirAsia.
What does the new Manado route add to Kota Kinabalu’s air connections?
AirAsia says the route adds another international destination from Kota Kinabalu, which it identifies as its second-largest hub in Malaysia. The release states that the group had 30 routes and 387 flights weekly from Kota Kinabalu. It does not provide a separate weekly flight frequency for the new Manado service.
What is a water cannon salute at an airport?
A water cannon salute is a ceremonial welcome in which airport fire vehicles spray arcs of water over or around an aircraft, often as it taxis after landing. Airports may use the tradition to mark inaugural flights, retirements, or other notable occasions. It is a symbolic event, rather than part of an aircraft’s normal arrival procedure.
Earlier from AirAsia
- AirAsia marks historic return to Subang Airport with inaugural flights to Sabah and Sarawak
- AirAsia enters second half of the year with wider expansion in China
- AirAsia launches new route to Port Blair in the Andamans from Singapore via a quick stopover in KL
- AirAsia launches flights from Bangkok to Himalayan World Heritage City of Kathmandu Grab special fares now from only 2,990 THB one way
- AirAsia elevates Asean tourism with over 3,200 flights weekly through 2024 to welcome 75 million guests this year
