Malaysia Airlines launches Kota Kinabalu - Xiamen direct service

Following the recent launch of London-Langkawi and London-Penang direct flights, Malaysia Airlines today introduced a new direct air link between Kota Kinabalu and Xiamen.

A special ceremony was held at Kota Kinabalu International Airport to mark the inauguration of the flight.

Among the passengers on board the flight were 81 inaugural delegation members, led by Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment, Sabah. The delegation members, comprising representatives of Sabah Tourism Board, hoteliers, travel trade members, local media and Malaysia Airlines' senior management staff, will be in Xiamen until 31 October 2003.

The twice-weekly service from Kota Kinabalu to Xiamen, operates every Monday and Friday, using B737-400 aircraft.

Flights depart from Kota Kinabalu at 12.50pm and are scheduled to arrive in Xiamen at 4.00pm. Turnaround flights from Xiamen are due to depart at 5.00pm and arrive in Kota Kinabalu at 8.10 pm, the same day.

This new service is an addition to the existing four times weekly Kuala Lumpur-Xiamen-Kuala Lumpur service that was introduced on 1 November 1999, starting with 3 weekly flights. The flight operates using B737-400 and A330-300 every Tuesday and Saturday.

The commencement of this new service is part of Malaysia Airlines' effort to strengthen Kota Kinabalu as one of its secondary hubs in East Malaysia with more point-to-point flights between the city and other international destinations, as well as to boost inbound tourism to Sabah.