KUALA LUMPUR: Direct flights between Sandakan and Kuala Lumpur are expected to resume on February 18.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday, the move would bring the frequency of direct flights between KL International Airport (KLIA) main terminal and Sandakan to 11 times weekly.
The statement was issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Malaysia Airlines senior management to discuss various issues relating to the operations of the national carrier, including moves affecting consumers in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Among the issues discussed was the reintroduction of direct flights between Sandakan and Kuala Lumpur in recognition of existing and growing demand for premium direct full service connectivity between Sandakan and KLIA main terminal,” the statement said.
Sandakan, on the east coast of Sabah, is the state’s second largest city.
“The Prime Minister applauded MAS for taking into consideration the request of consumers in Sabah, especially the residents of Sandakan,” the statement said.
MAS said in a statement that the re-introduction of direct flights to and from Sandakan will allow for more international travel via KLIA to meet the growing network demand for premium connectivity to and from Sandakan with MAS’ international destinations.
International visitors interested in Sabah’s unique wildlife would thus have a more direct access to sites in Sandakan such as the world’s largest Orang Utan sanctuary at Sepilok, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkey at the Kinabatangan river and Turtle Island.
MAS would provide a frequency of 11 times weekly direct flights between KLIA Main Terminal and Sandakan, starting from 18 February 2012.