Thursday, August 24, 2006

Sabah CM: Review flight cuts

By KAMARUDDIN LIUSIN & JENNE LAJIUN

KOTA KINABALU: The state government has called for a review of the reduction in number of flights from the state capital to Sandakan and Tawau.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the decrease in flights since August 1 has created problems as people intending to visit Sandakan and Tawau were finding it difficult to get seats.

“We hope the situation would be rectified as soon as possible,” he told reporters after chairing the State Cabinet meeting here yesterday.

Musa who is also Finance Minister said the State Cabinet has decided to write to the Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and the management of Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia on the matter.

“We have directed the State Secretary (Datuk KY Mustafa) to write a letter to them,” he added.

He said the flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and to Tawau were reduced from seven to just three a day after MAS carried out its rationalisation programme on August 1.

These sectors are now operated by Fly Asian Express (FAX).

Musa also pointed out that the effects of the flight cuts were being felt by local and foreign travelers planning to visit Sandakan and Tawau from the state capital.

“How are we going to promote the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 when there is a reduction in the number of flights? It is affecting the visitors who want to go to Sandakan and Tawau,” he said.

The Chief Minister also believed that this had led to a drop in the number of tourists to the state, especially Sandakan and Tawau.

“Not only tourists face problem in getting seats…the local people also face the same problem,” he added.

Courtesy of New Sabah Times

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