inaugural – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS)

Zamboanga-KK flight from March 31

KOTA KINABALU: Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flag carrier of the Philippines, will begin its thrice-weekly flight from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu that will take one hour and forty-five minutes effective March 31, 2020.Announcing this Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said this is good news for the business community, trading fraternity and leisure travellers.“I have been looking forward to this inaugural PAL flight from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu since the proposal was made last year when a delegation paid a courtesy call on me. The move is timely as it ties in well with Visit Malaysia Year 2020,” she said in a statement issued here, after a courtesy call by the Chairman of BIMP-EAGA Malaysia Business Council (BEBC), Sabah Chapter, Carl Moosom. He was accompanied by the BEBC Head of Sabah for Socio-Cultural Education, Ting Yi Hang. Liew, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, commended the Sabah Chapter for its initiative and persistence to ensure that the inaugural flight becomes a reality.Briefing the Minister on the flight schedule, Carl said it will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu (8am-9.45am) and then from Kota Kinabalu to Zamboanga (10.45am-12.30pm). “PAL will be using the Bombardier 400 wd 86-seater aircraft,” he said.According to Liew, the aircraft will be given a water salute upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on March 31, 2020 while its passengers will be given a traditional welcome by the Sabah Tourism Board’s (STB’s) cultural troupe.Also present were the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Hjh Mariam Omar Matusin, Principal Assistant Secretary, Mary Malangking, STB General Manager, Noredah Othman and Marketing Manager Bobby Alex. Source: Daily Express

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

Tag - inaugural

Zamboanga-KK flight from March 31

Royal Brunei launches inaugural Sandakan flight