Royal Brunei launches inaugural Sandakan flight

SANDAKAN: Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) on Monday launched its inaugural flight service from Bandar Seri Begawan to here. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, in his welcoming speech, said air connectivity is vital to enhance economic growth of Sandakan. He said according to the latest Malaysia Airports Bhd statistics, Sandakan Airport recorded a more than 10pc growth in the first quarter of this year.

“I’m glad to see Sandakan Airport achieving such a significant and healthy growth rate. With the latest addition of Royal Brunei Airlines, I’m confident that the Sandakan Airport will continue to register positive growth.“In fact, I would even say that air connectivity and accessibility has become the single most important factor in influencing the growth of Sandakan’s economy. “In this regard, I would like to congratulate Royal Brunei Airlines for taking the bold step of launching this Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan route. This will certainly act as an enabler for both cities to forge closer ties, culturally and economically,” he said. His speech was read by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong. The six-time weekly Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan flight services uses a new ATR 72-600 aircraft operated by Malindo Air.

Liew said he would also like to take the opportunity to urge all industry stakeholders, including Malaysia Airports, Sabah Tourism Board and Sandakan Tourism Association, to work closely with RBA to prove to all that Sandakan can and will sustain new international routes coming its way. “Tourism marketing has a relatively long lead time. We need to work closer together now to promote Sandakan more aggressively in order to get more people and more flights to our city,” he added. Also present were RBA’s Vice President of Government and International Relations, Rory Lou Teo, General Manager of Sabah Tourism, Noredah Othman, President of Sandakan Tourism Association, Teo Chee Kim, and Senior Manager of Routes Development for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, Zainuddin Mohamed.The RBA flight carrying 72 passengers arrived at the Sandakan Airport at 2.15pm and was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Source: Sandakan