KOTA KINABALU: Efforts are under way to ensure that the tourism sector is not affected by the upgrading works carried out at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport runways.
Currently in its final stages of upgrading, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said they had discussed with Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB) to allow some room for chartered flights as what the state had been enjoying all this while.
“The instrument landing system is not properly in place yet and we were told that they require between three to six months to complete. During this time, we have requested for MAB to give some room for the chartered flights which we have been enjoying, especially at peak season.
“These people planned much earlier ahead. When people mount chartered flights, they do not mount it for tomorrow or the next month, they mount it three or four months ahead, so whatever renovations or upgrading MAB are doing, they must be lenient and considerate of the chartered flights that have been put in place and scheduled. I think MAB has been working very well with the ministry and industry, as well as Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) and all the airlines to accommodate everybody so that the influx of tourists to Sabah is not disrupted,” said Pang.