Sabah now receives 17 direct scheduled flight frequencies from South Korea, with the resumption of the Busan-Kota Kinabalu route.

On Wedneday, Air Busan relaunched its previously suspended direct flight from Busan, bringing 220 passengers to the state.

For the time being, Air Busan will operate two weekly flights between Busan and Kota Kinabalu.

State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai welcomed the passengers.

Also present were Sabah Tourism Board deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit and chief marketing officer Tay Shu Lan.

Joniston said with the latest route, Sabah hoped to increase the number of international flights from major foreign cities, making the state more accessible.

The increase in international direct frequency indicates that there is a significant demand for travel to Sabah, as well as airline interest in the Kota Kinabalu route, he asserted.

“We are definitely considering expanding direct flights and possibly resuming previously suspended direct routes from Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan and China.

“For this reason, we must keep in touch with airline companies and keep abreast of their objectives in order to come to a mutual understanding and devise a workable strategy,” he said.

There are currently 40 weekly direct international scheduled flights into Sabah, with South Korea having the highest.

This followed by Singapore (14), Brunei Darussalam (4), Thailand (3), and Philippines (2).

Since the reopening of international border on April 1, five foreign carries have returned to Sabah. Three of them are Korean low-cost airlines.

They are Jeju Air (via Incheon), Jin Air (via Incheon), and Air Busan (via Incheon and Busan). Others are Scoot (via Singapore) and Royal Brunei Airlines (via Bandar Seri Begawan).

Malaysia’s budget airline AirAsia is also offering direct flights to Kota Kinabalu from Singapore, Manila and Bangkok.

As for direct domestic scheduled flights, there are currently 372 weekly flights into Sabah.

The direct routes are via Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang, Kota Bharu, Terengganu, Sarawak, and Labuan.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by THE BORNEO POST

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