Xiamen Airlines launches inaugural flight from Beijing to Kota Kinabalu

Xiamen Airlines commenced its inaugural direct flight from Beijing to Kota Kinabalu today, which also marks its first international route from the airline’s Beijing hub. Pic by STR/LANO LAN

KOTA KINABALU, 16 January 2018: Xiamen Airlines commenced its inaugural direct flight from Beijing to Kota Kinabalu today, which also marks its first international route from the airline’s Beijing hub.

As for the state, this is the China carrier’s second route after the Fuzhou-Kota Kinabalu route was launched in January last year. It is understood that this route is currently running at an average 80 per cent load.

This new daily flight route will operate with the Boeing 737-800.

In the maiden Tuesday Beijing-Kota Kinabalu flight, 163 passengers were flown into the state, including State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Speaking to reporters after his arrival, Masidi said introduction of more flights from China would foster a good relationship between the state and China.

“But a route can only survive if the passenger load is economically viable, meaning both sides need to be eager to travel,” he said.

He said China arrivals to Sabah last year were estimated around 430,000, which is almost a 15 per cent increase from 2016, and hoped the number can increase, if not remains just as healthy.

The Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) currently serves 17 international destinations including eight major Chinese cities.

On the proposal from China that Sabah looks into opening more hotels and accommodation, Masidi said the state government is aware of the need to speed up more hotels development.

“With more new flights expected to come into Kota Kinabalu, of course we are concerned of shortage of hotel rooms or accommodations.

“We have tasked a few companies on that matter but while we want things to be done fast, quality is still a priority,” he said.

Also present at the launch of the new flight route today were Malaysia’s Ambassador to the Republic of China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya, Xiamen Airlines deputy general manager Ou Dong Ying and China Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Liang Caide.

-nst online.