29Oct

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
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18Oct

AirAsia to launch direct international flights to Tawau, Sandakan next year

KOTA KINABALU: Tawau and Sandakan are expected to welcome direct international flights brought in by low-cost carrier AirAsia from early next year. AirAsia Group Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said they are looking at linking both cities to destinations in China, Korea, Japan and Asean countries. "We are looking at January, February. I want to launch it during the winter period to promote the wonderful beaches here.We are ready to do it now as we believe we can bring lot of jobs and growth directly to Tawau and Sandakan. "So I will fly to Tawau right after this to announce to our staff," he told reporters after paying a courtesy call to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on Friday (Oct 18). However, he said Kota Kinabalu would remain a priority hub as plans are afoot for KK-Seoul flights from next August. Fernandes reiterated their ongoing plan to push the re-opening of Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 2 (KKIA2), where AirAsia formerly operated before its shift to KKIA Terminal 1 under the Transport Ministry's order. "We can do so much in KK if we can get Terminal 2 reopened, but I want to start developing Sandakan, Tawau as well as Sarawak. "The meeting with the CM was also to relay if we can get Terminal 2, we can grow to 15 million passengers (from the current eight million passengers), our estimate is to create 33,000 jobs and bring in RM150bil into Sabah's economy. It is such a waste to see the empty terminal. "If you move us back, it also allows Terminal 1 to bring in more airlines like Qatar Airways and Emirates, so you need to do this to release capacity," he added. Asked about the current development for such discussions, Tony said he remained optimistic and believed they are "making headway" as the Transport Ministry is opened to talks. Asked about Shafie's response to shifting AirAsia's operations back to Terminal 2, he said,"I think he is supportive, but the ball is in Malaysia Airports (court). It is something the state and federal level have to work out. "But one of the reasons why the idea was put (on the backburner) because there was talk about building a new airport in Kota Kinabalu. "But that would take five to seven years to materialise. That is why we continued the discussion about Terminal 2," he added. He said expanding the airport's capacity was crucial in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020. AirAsia currently operates 511 weekly flights into Kota Kinabalu. Source: The Star Online
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30Sep

Malaysia’s Sandakan Airport to extend runway for international flights

Construction work for the extension of Sandakan Airport in Malaysia has started and is expected to be completed by mid-2021. The project includes the extension of the current runway from 2,133m to 2,500m and the construction of a new taxiway, which will connect the runway to the parking apron. Expansion of the current aircraft parking apron, as well as the relocation and installation of associated approach lighting and runway equipment, will also be undertaken. The project is expected to have a duration of around 18 to 20 months. According to the Borneo Post, Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee has said that state and federal ministries will work together to complete the project on time. Shir Yee said: “We are collaborating closely with various stakeholders, the Ministry, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Airport, airlines, local tourism players and media to promote Sandakan so that we can get more airlines to serve Sandakan as soon as the runway project is done. “Going by the current growth trend, we will need to embark on the terminal expansion by the time the runway extension is completed to cater to the air travel demand in the district. We certainly look forward to usher in a new era of air travel to and from Sandakan soon.” The project was introduced by former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he visited Sandakan in March 2017. It is expected to boost the tourism and income for the region by permitting international flights to land. Source: Airport Technology
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08Jul

Agnes Keith book should motivate research: DCM

SANDAKAN: The observations made by Agnes Keith through her book “Land Below The Wind” should motivate the young generation to carry out social anthropology research in the State. Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Cultural and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the book had made Sabah known worldwide.“The book which explained the local community in Borneo during the 1930s until 1950s has become a treasure for us as it pictured our varied cultures, uniqueness and the beauty of Borneo’s flora and fauna. “Therefore, this book should become a motivator for anthropologists and the young generation to do research on the cultures, customs and traditions in Sabah,” she said. Her speech was delivered by her Assistant Minister, Assafal P. Alian, at the celebration of Agnes Keith Day and Exotica Craft Exhibition, in conjunction with Sandakan Festival 2019, held at Agnes Keith House, here, Saturday. She said the Agnes Keith House located in Jalan Istana, here, has become one of the “must visit” places for both domestic and foreign visitors. The programme was also enlivened with the exhibition of local handicrafts, folk sport, lucky draw and colouring and drawing contest. Meanwhile, Christina urged local tourism players to be more proactive and aggressive in promoting tourism in Sandakan, especially in promoting the Sandakan Heritage Walk tourism. Source: Daily Express Online
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07Dec

Birdwatching as new tourism package.

Sandakan: Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor activity that has the potential to be one of the main tourism contributors in the State. Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said if birdwatching can be properly exposed, it can be among prominent players in Sabah's tourism sector. "I was told that Sabah is home to some 688 types of bird species which attracted not only local but also international birdwatchers. "Sabah is also rich in eco-tourism and birdwatchers are know to do their birdwatching in well-known eco-tourism spots. "There are around seven places in the State that are visited regularly by birdwatchers such as Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre, Danum Valley, Kinabalu Park, Likas Bay and Tabin," he said. He said in order to encourage and boost the birdwatching activity and turn it into a tourism package, the Ministry will organise a meeting with the tour operators. Datu Rosmadi was speaking at the opening of 10th Borneo Bird Festival at Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). Meanwhile, he advised tourism players to shoulder their obligation as the custodian of the environment, thus, appreciating the world class eco-tourism spots in Sabah. Also present at the ceremony were President of Sandakan Borneo Bird Club Sabah, Gary Albert, Chief Conservator of Sabah Forestry Department, Datuk Mashor Mohd Jaini, Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong, speakers, birdwatchers and members of the public. In the ceremony, Datu Rosmadi also launched "A naturalist's guide to the Birds of Borneo" written by Wong Tsu Shi, a keen photographer who is in interested in the photo-documentation of the birds of Borneo. His book is an easy-to-use identification guide to 280 birds found in Borneo covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan including the most commonly seen and rare endemic species. The two-day event was enlivened with various activities such as talks, bird photography, guided birdwatching, bird mimic contest, bird race, booth exhibitions, Borneo bird run and so forth. - Winnie Kasmir   Source : Daily Express
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