KOTA KINABALU: The real test for AirAsia operations at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Terminal 1 will start around noon, a ground handling staff said.

“There will be six flights arriving from 12.30pm to 3pm and three of those are full,” he said adding the flights are from Taipei, Hong Kong, Sandakan and Kuala Lumpur.

“Some staff were recalled to help out and to make sure the operations run smoothly… but the three hour stretch will not be easy,” he said.

The staff, who has been with the company for over 10 years said the new routine for them has been different based on the first few flights that arrived.

“We are used to our routine and are now adjusting to get to know our way around.

“But the system is more or less the same for loading and unloading.

It’s just a matter of getting used to it,” he said.

Meanwhile, at least two AirAsia ground staff are on duty at the Terminal 2 to redirect passengers to Terminal 1.

The low cost carrier had placed the staff to ensure passengers do not end up at Terminal 2. A senior management staff said they began sending text messages and emails to all passenger who had booked their flights as of today for the next two weeks to inform them about the move.

“But we can’t take things for granted. I was informed there were quite a number who came to Terminal 2 to check in. We have also prepared a shuttle bus, just in case,” he said.

As of noon, the staff who declined to be named said things were running as planned with no major issues. AirAsia began its operations in Sabah in 2001 at Terminal 2.

As of last year it handled more than 3.6 million passengers or about 10,000 per day.-nst