KOTA KINABALU: Xiamen Airlines’ inaugural direct flight from Fuzhou to Kota Kinabalu yesterday marked this city as its official gateway city into East Malaysia.
Xiamen Airlines Kuala Lumpur Office general manager Guo Yuan said the three times weekly non-stop three-and-a-half-hour flight between the cities will not only create a convenient channel for Chinese nationals to enjoy a short holiday escape in a popular tourist destination, but also connect East Malaysia to its newest Amsterdam and New York airline destinations.
“So far, most of the booking is 80% from Fuzhou on this route. More and more Chinese nationals are interested to visit Sabah,” said Guo at the inaugural flight ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here yesterday.
“Through this route, they can transit at Fuzhou on their way to our new destinations New York in America and Amsterdam in Europe as well as other international places,” he added.
The Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft landed at KKIA around 5.45pm with an almost full load of 155 passengers, whilst the returning flight, scheduled to depart to Fuzhou at 6.35pm had a 60% load factor.
“Southeast Asia is Xiamen Airlines’ all time strategic market. It is our great honor to have this opportunity to contribute to the economic development, cultural exchange as well as the mutual cooperation as an airline company. The new route is expected to continue the growing passenger visits from China to Malaysia,” said Guo.
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