Tourist joyrides in the sky by Sabah Air

KOTA KINABALU: Joyrides in the sky look set to become a tourism industry game-changer for Sabah.

The bird’s eye view tour of the state’s capital and its beautiful hinterland takes in a breathtaking snapshot panorama of Sabah’s scenic landscape and islands in once-in-a-lifetime package flight aboard a modern helicopter.

And taking the first one-hour tour was a group of Chinese company executives enjoying an incentive package. No fewer than 3,000 flew in via China Southern Airlines scheduled flight on a five-day company tour starting this week. But only top management executives were lucky enough to enjoy the trip.

The flights aboard a Bell 206L3 Long Ranger (six-seater) and AS355NP twin engine (five-seater) choppers were rolled out by Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd’s dedicated “Kota Kinabalu City and Islands Sightseeing Tour”.

The flights were divided into three groups starting on May 8 and then on Wednesday (May 10) and today (May 11) with up to 10 personnel aboard for each trip.

The New Sabah Times managed to catch up with the VIP tourists and Sabah Air’s senior personnel and pilot at their terminal in Tanjung Aru here before the flight on Wednesday.

“Although I don’t have the opportunity to talk to them (as the tourists don’t speak English), it is really nice to bring them around. I could see they are very excited about it because this is something new for them to see this kind of scenery,” said Captain Jaimie E Ermitanio as she waited for the VIP passengers to arrive.

She was also involved in flying the first batch of visitors on Monday (May 8) and from the feedback, she noted the tourists were very happy with the itinerary that the travel agents and Sabah Air had arranged.

“If I am not mistaken, they have shared the trip with the other groups and it seems that their friends have insisted to us they also want to take the same route,” said Captain Jaimie from the Philippines.

All the journeys began and ended at the Sabah Air terminal. And during the flight, passengers were taken in a bird’s eye visit of five popular tourism spots.

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Sabah Air urged to talk to Brunei Airlines on setting up airline

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air Sdn Bhd should consider talking to Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) about its plans to set up an airline in Borneo.

This is because RBA is an established and successful airline, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said.

Yong pointed out that setting up an airline is not an easy feat to accomplish as it is much more complicated and risky.

There are more rules than land transport to abide by, he said during a press conference after launching SAPP’s “Sabah Economic Plan” here yesterday.

Yong was of the opinion that Sabah Air is not suited to start an airline because an airline has major risks.

“One miscalculation on the fuel prices will kill the company. It is the fuel price that is causing problem to AirAsia today,” he said.

According to Yong, in the past, when AirAsia took over MAS’ domestic route in Sabah with its subsidiary, FAX, there were so many problems at that time prompting him to propose that the State Government consider setting up some form of airline for Borneo.

“Tian Chua seems to have picked that up by having a Borneo Airlines. But we all know that an airline is not a simple thing, it is not a bus company … an airline is much more complicated and risky, there are more rules than land transport.

“So if some form of airline were to emerge in Borneo, I would feel that the first airline to talk to is Royal Brunei Airways (RBA) using Bandar Seri Begawan as a hub. RBA has this plan before, they want passengers coming to Sabah and Sarawak to stop over in Brunei. So it is possible that Brunei can be the hub. This is part of BIMP-EAGA,” he stressed.

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Sabah Air told to start with chartered flights

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air can start with chartered flights or engage strategic partners prior to running a full-fledged airline due to the complexity involved.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun suggested that Sabah Air should begin with chartered flights as it was an easier alternative to get the feel on how to run an airline.

His second suggestion, that is to engage strategic partners, will allow the company to run the airline with people with expertise.

Masidi was commenting on Sabah Air chairman Datuk Yusoff Mohd Kasim’s recent announcement that Sabah Air was looking at serving regional routes such as to Korea, Japan and Australia.

“Although it is a good concept, the process is complicated, starting with buying or leasing an aircraft.

“Buying an aircraft is not easy because there are only a few manufacturers in the world – Airbus and Boeing, and the waiting period is five years,” he said in an interview after officiating at a book launch here yesterday.

In addition, he said most leased aircraft were used ones.

Masidi also cautioned Sabah Air that there were more airlines losing money than making a profit worldwide.

For instance, airlines who do make money include Singapore Airlines while those expanding at a very fast rate are Middle Eastern companies such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, he said.

The minister meanwhile welcomed Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to have another discussion and find a better solution rather than cutting routes.

“I believe tentatively that they have read all the comments in the paper and they are disturbed with the reaction from Sabahans.

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Sabah Air’s domestic airline proposal timely

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air’s proposal to set up a domestic airline to service the regional and domestic routes is timely to take care of the tourism sector.

Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) president Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau said the state could not rely on other airlines to open up and close a route, as had happened with Malaysia Airline’s suspension of four direct flights in the regional network from Japan, Korea and Perth, Australia.

He pointed out that different provinces in China such as Shenzhen, Hainan and Shanghai have their own airlines.

Sabah, being such a large state, should have an airline to cater and look after our tourism industry, he said.

Wong said the suspended routes to and from Japan and Korea have been established for years, and it was unacceptable to suspend the direct flights.

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Sabah Air aims to be alternative airline for Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd aims to be the alternative airline for Sabahans to destinations in the region which Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will stop flying to.

According to its chairman, Datuk Yusoff Mohd Kasim, Sabah Air is currently looking at serving regional routes such as to Korea, Japan and Australia.

Yusoff in a statement recently said that in view of the fast developing scenario for Sabah, Sabah Air is confident to serve the State profitably when all relevant landing rights in Seoul, Haneda, Osaka and Perth (to and fro Kota Kinabalu) is given to it, which MAS is currently in the process of giving up.

Sabah Air is prepared to take over these routes and is making the necessary arrangements for the same, to be activated as soon as the ‘go ahead’ is given, he said, adding that the aviation company had been working internally on a comprehensive plan to start a scheduled flight service dedicated to the State and the region over the last three months.

The plan covers regional as well as domestic routes, and is in its final stages of maturity. Once the board gives an “Authority to Proceed”, Sabah Air will be officially applying to the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia and Ministry of Transport for relevant approvals, Yusoff added.

Sabah Air, he pointed out, has the necessary experience and ability to solve this rapidly developing problem while consolidating its plan and execute the long-term practical solution for the State.

“We are strong in our conviction that all this can be achieved while staying true to the principle of inclusive development for all Sabahans,” he said, adding that the fountainhead of the plan is a three pronged strategy to fill the gap created, especially in the tourism sector in the immediate aftermath of incumbent service providers possibly pulling out of certain sectors.

“This pullout is expected to produce a massive backlash on the State’s economy in the short to medium term. Sabah Air has the necessary solution to address the long-term issues of international connectivity for the continued benefit of the State and its economy, at the same time bring the long isolated rural areas of the State into the mainstream; logistically and economically.

“Sabah Air agrees and is working in tandem with Warisan Harta Sdn Bhd’s current thinking on this matter, to find a practical and profitable solution for the long term,” he said.

According to Yusoff, Sabah Air’s strategy, includes addressing immediate issues faced by passengers who had booked air flights but are facing potential cancellations due to service providers pulling out of these sectors. Sabah Air is already in negotiations with potential aircraft lessors to fill the gap under the company’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) – Charter on a Wet Lease Basis.

Wet Lease, he explained, means the company will lease aircraft along with crew, maintenance and insurance.

Sabah Air is also in discussions with relevant authorities in the State tourism sector; government and operators to get an accurate picture of the tourism sector, their travel timelines and other respective details such as local destinations so on so forth, he said, adding that the information would then be put to effective use to solve the problem at the earliest.

“To address the long term needs of the state of Sabah in terms of connectivity to the relevant foreign destinations with a more permanent arrangement, Sabah Air will be effectively moving up the value chain to form a full-fledged airline to serve East Malaysia, and eventually the BIMP-EAGA region and possibly beyond.

“The main focus will be to provide an efficient logistical support for passengers and cargo; and connect this region to the rest of the world. To address the air connectivity issue for rural interiors of Sabah, with a customized and localized cost effective solution, and eventually duplicate the business model to other rural regions of East Malaysia,” he said.

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Sabah government backs Sabah Air’s request for routes, landing rights

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd’s request for the routes and landing rights forfeited by Malaysia Airline (MAS) has received the full support of State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

The state government, Masidi said, was ready to negotiate and make arrangements for another airline to take over these routes.

According to Masidi, he had personally written to the Transport Minister in November last year, to give notice to the state government so that it can request these routes and landing rights to be given to it upon cessation of MAS’ flight to these destinations.

The state government would then negotiate and make arrangement with another airline to take over these routes, he said adding, “I totally support Sabah Air’s stand on their request for the routes and landing rights forfeited by MAS to give to the local aviation company.

According to Masidi he had, during the Sabah Tourism Award event on November 19 last year, said that there was a need of another regional airline to serve the specific needs of Sabah and Sarawak.

“Tourism is one of the three major industries in Sabah and the only industry which involves and employs mainly locals. It is the industry that has the biggest potential to spur economic growth in Sabah.

“A Sabah/Sarawak designated regional airline is important to the development of the tourism industry because we are situated on an island and air connectivity is a crucial component of the travel industry.

“In the case of Sabah, over 94 percent of our tourists come to Sabah by air,” Masidi stressed.

He also pointed out that the state government has not been sitting idle with the impending announcement by MAS of the suspension and cancellation of some routes that would affect Sabah’s interests.

The government has had numerous meetings with the management of MAS trying to work out other options other than routes cancellation.

“A senior opposition leader claimed that even Tiger Air pulled out of Sabah as a result of MAS-Air Asia tie-up. Perhaps he needs to refresh his memory as Tiger Air stopped their service to KK (from Singapore) in October 2009, long before the current issue cropped up. Tiger Air made the decision for commercial reason as the BKI/SING route is a very competitive one,” he said.

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Sabah tourism industry backs Sabah Air expansion plan

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s tourism industry is backing the state owned carrier’s plan to operate as a full fledged airline flying within East Malaysia and regional destinations.

Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents Sabah chairman K.L. Tan said there was much potential for Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd to operate profitably as an airline.

He said there were so many successful models that Sabah Air could study.

“Singapore Airlines is an example. In a tough operating environment of soaring fuel costs, it could still post a net profit of RM108mil,” Tan said yesterday.

He said Sabah Air’s airline plan would mean the state being less dependent on Malaysia Airlines to fly tourists here.

Sabah Air chairman Datuk Yusoff Kassim said on Friday that the company for the past three months had been mapping out a comprehensive strategy to begin a scheduled flight service within the state and nearby destinations.

The company would seek the Transport Ministry and Depart­ment of Civil Aviation approvals once the Sabah Air board gave its green light.

He said Sabah Air’s move was necessary due to some airlines ceasing flights from here to various regional destinations.

Malaysia Airlines had anno­unced it was suspending flights from Kota Kinabalu to Perth, Haneda, Osaka, Seoul from January as part of the carrier’s rationalisation plan.

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Sabah Air urged to fill air access vacuum

The Government should heed the call of air travellers in Sabah and Sarawak to review the recently concluded collaboration between MAS and AirAsia because it had effectively ended any competition in the airline industry to the disadvantage of the rakyat.

"The two airlines now being partners in business seem now more interested in profits than in carrying out its corporate social responsibility role with emphasis on international routes," said Labuan Consumer Council (LCC) Chairman Fauziah Datuk Din.

She said when the alliance was developed through a share swap between the two airlines, concerns had been expressed by many that East Malaysian travellers would suffer but the Transport Ministry assured this would not be the case.

She said it turned out that the Government doesn't know best as not only flights between KL, Kuching, Labuan and Kota Kinabalu been reduced but the costs have also soared with KL-KK flights fetching up to RM700.

"And even this depends on availability of seats."

"I was told flights between Sandakan and Penang on AirAsia can go up to RM1,000 and this also is fully booked."

She said Firefly was becoming the public's favourite but was stopped altogether following the MAS-AirAsia collaboration.

"Adding to this, it was reported that four MAS direct international flights to Kota Kinabalu would be suspended from next year," she said.

"If nothing can be done, the other options are to either bring back Firefly or for Sabah Air to consider applying to serve the KK-Kuching-Labuan-KK route by leasing aircraft," she said.

She said air connections were important to Sarawak, Labuan and Sabah and the Transport Ministry should not lose its focus since its has been tasked to improve public transportation under the National Key Results Area.

"The subsidies given to MAS should now be questioned since the rakyat are not benefitting."

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SabahAir Aviation - Altitude with an Attitute!

You’ve trailblazed Sabah by road and sailed the seas to view the ocean wonders, but have you taken to the skies to take in the sights? With SabahAir Aviation, it’s time to see Sabah from way up high!

SabahAir Aviation is a well-established heli operator with over 30 years' experience. It has a fleet of five helicopters in Kota Kinabalu and one in Sandakan. With their affordable rates, the company aims to change the perception that heli charters are for the rich and famous. Think again! Here are some of flights of fancy you might enjoy:

MOUNT KINABALU AERIAL FANTASY

Imagine a close-up view of majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. This flight takes you on an unforgettable journey over the mighty Mt. Kinabalu where you will enjoy stunning views of the seemingly endless Crocker Range.


MALIAU BASIN (SABAH’S LOST WORLD)

Maliau Basin, also known as the ‘Lost World of Sabah’, is located in the south-central part of the state. It is an area of approximately 58,840 hectares, surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs, which is rich is flora and fauna. Many people flock to this natural wonder to view the 7-tier waterfall.

KOTA KINABALU AERIAL DELIGHT

Avoid the hassle of traffic jams and save precious time as you fly above the city of Kota Kinabalu! Get a bird’s eye view of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the iconic Menara Tun Mustapha (Tun Mustapha Tower, also known as the Sabah Foundation building). See if you can spot your hotel or the famous Tanjung Aru Beach! A 20-minute joyride will cost around RM260 per person.


SabahAir Aviation also caters to special requests, transfers and tours. Just ask and you shall receive! In short, you can charter a flight from any point as long as there is a landing area the size of a tennis court. The Bell Jet Ranger 206 can seat up to four people, while the Long Ranger can seat six. To save time, dive enthusiasts and island hoppers can request to fly to any of the many islands along the east coast.

Golfers can also enjoy this service so they can spend more time on their favourite golf course rather than in a car. How about flying to Kudat to see the Tip of Borneo? The journey to Kudat by road from KK city can take 3 hours whereas it takes only 40 minutes by helicopter. Larger aircraft such as the Nomad (which can seat up to 10 people) are used for flights to Layang-Layang (an 80-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu).


Some interesting requests include a marriage proposal in which the gentleman had ‘carved’ his proposal on a sandy beach and asked the heli carrying his girlfriend to fly over the designated area. She accepted his sandy proposal with a resounding 'yes'. For SabahAir Aviation, no request is too grand!

But it’s not all play for Sabahair Aviation. Their busy schedule includes various government projects, such as assisting in the building of schools in the interior regions of Sabah. They transport building materials using their helicopters; this has a low impact on the environment as trees are not chopped down to build roads to ferry material to the desired location.

The company is currently upgrading its services to include an interactive website where you can book all tours online and have them confirmed immediately without any hassle.

For more information on the tours and charters offered please contact Tova Waage at 088-484 733/484326 or fax 088-484557. You can also write them at SabahAir Aviation Sdn Bhd, Locked Bag 113, 88999, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Source: Sabah Tourism Newsletter

NOTE: All Photos Copyright to Sabah Tourism