MASwings launches flights from Lahad Datu to Sandakan
MASwings, the airline for the people of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, commenced its inaugural flight from Lahad Datu to Sandakan on Wednesday.
The new route, which is part of MASwings’ continuous efforts to enhance their operation and service in Sabah, especially east coast, will operate 14 times a week.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Assafal P Alian, described the effort as timely to balance the development and tourism in Sabah’s east coast with the west coast.
Assafal said that the launch of the new route will have an impact on the tourism industry in Sabah, especially for Lahad Datu and Semporna.
“All this while, attention was only focused on the west coast, hence this new route is in line with efforts to develop the tourism industry and other industries in Sabah’s east coast,” he said during the launch of the inaugural flight to Sandakan from Lahad Datu by MASwings on Wednesday.
When asked about the need for a new airport in this district, Assafal, who is also the Tungku assemblyman, affirmed that there is a need for a new airport, especially in view of the upcoming developments.
He added that the new airport is expected to boost the tourism industry and other industries in the district.
Meanwhile, MASwings chief executive officer Aminuddin Zakaria said he believed the new route could give a positive impact to frequent business and leisure travelers as it saves on travel times.
The new route, he said, will also provide connectivity to other districts, such as from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu and Sandakan and also to Semporna from Tawau.
“There are many requests for MASwings to open new routes, and this matter was decided by the economic development of the areas. MASwings will open a route to a destination if there is no other airline doing it,” he added.
During the launch, MASwings also brought together children from under-privileged home as part of their corporate social responsibility, with the aims of allowing the children to experience the joy of air travel besides venture on to new things out of their comfort zone.