AirAsia Malaysia boosts halal tourism with new route

Spotlights Indonesia’s Banjarmasin’s rising appeal as halal-friendly travel destination

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — AirAsia Malaysia has launched flights connecting Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia’s Banjarmasin city, strengthening regional connectivity, trade and tourism while spotlighting Banjarmasin’s rising appeal as a halal-friendly travel destination, reports Business Today.

Known as the City of a Thousand Rivers, Banjarmasin offers travellers an authentic glimpse of Indonesia’s rich river culture and Banjar heritage. The new route also deepens AirAsia’s footprint in Indonesia, where it now serves 18 destinations and counting, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most connected foreign airlines.

“Indonesia has always been a key market for us. This new route enhances people-to-people connectivity and opens up affordable opportunities for both leisure and business travellers,” AirAsia Malaysia CEO Fareh Mazputra said.  “We’re proud to connect Kuala Lumpur directly to Banjarmasin — a destination full of culture, heritage and natural beauty.

The new service operates four times weekly — every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — with flights departing KL at 7:15am and arriving in Banjarmasin at 9:50am, while the return leg departs Banjarmasin at 10:15am and lands in KL at 1:05pm (local time).

With nearly 100,000 domestic tourist arrivals recorded in October 2024, South Kalimantan’s tourism sector is on an upward trajectory. The new route is expected to fuel that growth in 2025, complementing Malaysia’s Visit 2026 campaign and supporting broader ASEAN tourism goals.