Currently the only airline flying between the Malaysian capital and Kuantan, the capital of Pahang state located on the eastern coast of mainland Malaysia, is Malaysia Airlines with two daily flights, one in the morning and one in the evening. The overland distance between the two destinations is under 240 km and flying takes between 40 and 50 minutes while if travelling overland you normally need about 4 hours.
AirAsia first started flying between KL and Kuantan in 2008 and was soon joined by Malindo Airlines and Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. All the three stopped operations several years later finally leaving Malaysia Airlines alone.
Yet today it looks like there is a potential for other air carries' comeback as both locals and tourists are experiencing the lack of scheduled flights between KL and Kuantan. The tourist sector in Pahang state is on the rise with new resorts and hotels mushrooming. It will definitely benefit from another carrier offering additional flights to and from the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport. Another important reason for the growing business traffic in Pahang is the presence of the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park.
The exact date of AirAsia's restarting their flights on the route has not yet been announced.
AirAsia's Kuala Lumpur–Kuantan Route Is Back Soon?
News in Asia
AirAsia Malaysia is considering to revive its Kuala Lumpur–Kuantan route which was suspended seven years ago due to unprofitability reasons.