Kota Kinabalu is now directly linked with Perth with Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) new thrice-weekly service.
Operated by a new 160-seater Boeing B737-800 aircraft with 144 economy class and 16 business class seats, flights depart from Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1800 and arrive in Perth at 2335.
The three flights complement the current 10 non-stop MAS flights from Kuala Lumpur to Perth. This is the second international destination for the carrier after the launch of its eastern hub last October (see news). MAS chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said: “The introduction of [the flight to] Perth underlines the commitment to develop Kota Kinabalu as our eastern hub, an ideal gateway for travellers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.”
The second largest city in Australia, Perth is an important outbound market for several Asean countries, and is expected to beef up tourist arrivals to Sabah. There is also a large Sabahan community in the city which will contribute to the passenger loads. Up to October, Sabah enjoyed a 4.9 percent increase in tourist arrivals at 1.827 million guests. Passenger load was 86 percent on the inaugural flights.
Haneda was the first international destination launched in November, after the airline set up the eastern hub. MAS managing director cum chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said that besides Haneda and Perth, the airline already had several international routes direct from Kota Kinabalu such as to Osaka, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei.
For more on the carrier, visit www.malaysiaairlines.com
Andrea Zavadszky
