SKS Airways kicks-off direct flights to Pulau Tioman

 

ROMPIN: After nine years, the first scheduled commercial flight to Pulau Tioman touched down safely today.

The 19-seater turboprop DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft operated by new commercial carrier, SKS Airways from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang landed on the duty-free island at about 10.30am.

Since Berjaya Air ceased operations several years ago, only chartered 12-seater single-engine flights were available for holidaymakers to the island.

Tioman Development Authority (TDA) general manager Datuk Idros Yahya described the return of scheduled flight services as a boon to the tourism industry on the island.

"Now, visitors can either choose to travel by ferry from Rompin or take the direct flight to the island. It will certainly save travel time and attract more people to plan vacation trips to the island.

"The flight which departed Subang at 9am today landed at the airstrip at Tioman Airport, Kampung Tekek on the island at 10.30am. Four flights will be scheduled every week and it will be increased in stages," he said when contacted today.

Idros said the scheduled flight services to the island will allow visitors to plan their holidays in advance and make the necessary bookings.

SKS Airways, in a statement, said Pulau Tioman is the commercial airline's third island destination route after its Subang-Pulau Pangkor and Subang-Pulau Redang routes which were launched on Jan 26 and Jan 31 respectively.

SKS Airways director Datuk Rohman Ahmad was reported saying the flight to Pulau Tioman will provide easy access to island hopping for both domestic and international tourists.

"This would be perfect, in line with the current growing demand for domestic travel and reopening of borders as the country moves towards the Covid-19 endemic phase," he said.

SKS Airways will be operating the new Subang-Pulau Tioman route four times weekly and the flight frequency will be increased to two flights daily from July 1 and Oct 29.

-nst online.

Tioman Redang Pangkor Flight :: Air Ticket Booking Online | Johor Bahru Subang (sksairways.com)

Pulau Pangkor welcomes SKS Airways from Subang Airport

 

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.