KUALA LUMPUR: Pulau Pangkor's short takeoff and landing port (STOLports) today welcomed the inaugural flight KI6357 by SKS Airways from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport or Subang Airport.
Flight KI6357 touched down at 2.00 pm, witnessed by the Perak chief minister Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad witnessed Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transport committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) chairman Datuk Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
In a statement today, MAHB said the daily flight between Subang Airport and Pulau Pangkor would start from January 26, 2022, onwards, using the DHC6-Twin-Otter aircraft, which can accommodate up to 19 passengers on board.
The commencement of scheduled commercial flight operations at Pulau Pangkor would likely invigorate tourism demand for the island and contribute to the local economy.
Zambry said the airport operator would work closely with tourism bodies to promote local destinations.
"Islands in Malaysia are already renowned for their natural tourist attractions, and the tourism demand for them is strong.
"The start of commercial flight operations will provide the necessary connectivity to attract more international tourists to the island," he said.
Coupled with the island's duty-free status, Zambry said the commercial flight operations would also contribute positively towards the economic revival of the island and its population.
He said the local aviation industry began to show signs of growth after bracing lacklustre two years brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The emergence of a new local airline in the country is a sign of this positive development. SKS Airways' decision to start operations is no doubt influenced by the improvement we have seen within the domestic air travel scene."
Last December, he said MAHB's domestic passenger movements reached about 60 per cent of its pre-Covid-19 level.
"Government efforts in ensuring a high Covid-19 vaccination rate within our population will also enable Malaysia to transition into an endemic phase faster, and this would help boost air travel further."
The next STOLport to receive daily scheduled flights by SKS Airways will be the Pulau Redang STOLport, starting from January 31, 2022.
Although Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Redang have not had any commercial flight operations in the last several years, MAHB said it would continuously maintain the STOLports throughout by ensuring the availability of Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) and Airport Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel at all times.
-nst online.
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