KOTA KINABALU - The suspension of MYAirline flight operations which took effect yesterday saw Sabah lose about 6,000 passengers per week, said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She said the number of domestic flights coming to Sabah has also been affected following the suspension of operations, and the state hopes the issue will be resolved very soon.
According to the Sabah Tourism Board, domestic arrival is very important to the state as about 70 to 80 per cent of the arrivals to date involve domestic tourism.
“Connectivity is one of the important factors that we must have. We are also watching and monitoring this issue very closely. We hope that they will resolve the issue very soon,” she said at a press conference in conjunction with the Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2023 here today.
Yesterday, MYAirline Sdn Bhd suspended its operations until further notice due to significant financial pressure and among the flights affected are daily flights between Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Tanjung Aru Beach Festival 2023 that will be held at the end of this month, Liew said the event plays a huge role in contributing to Sabah’s tourism industry as it promotes one of the state’s main attractions, the breathtaking sunset views at the beach.
By implementing a litter-free campaign, Liew said, the event is a great way for the locals and tourists to interact and enjoy the celebration while being environmentally responsible.
The festival is open to the public from 10am to 10pm on Oct 28 and 29 at Prince Philip Park, which among others, offers a great lineup of local and national artists, exciting beachside activities and a variety of local vendors.
The event’s primary goal is to showcase Tanjung Aru Beach as a premier attraction in Sabah while emphasising the crucial importance of keeping the beach clean. - Bernama, October 13, 2023
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