Despite the current Covid 19 outbreak with cases reported in Malaysia and the Philippines, the opening Kota Kinabalu-Zamboanga City direct flight has been receiving good results from Sabah travelers.

Senior Sales & Marketing Manager Ruhana Jamal, PAL has mentioned that 65 confirmed bookings have already been registered for the initial 86-seater flight.

She noted that many of the Zamboanga bound passengers are businessmen/investors/traders coming from various parts in Sabah.

She added that PAL is still offering an extra promotional ticket (2 pax reserving) until 23 Feb, "We have passengers coming from the Philippine community here too.

The aircraft De Havilland 86-seater, also known as Dash-8, used to be known as the Bombardier Q400NG, will take a 1hr 45-minute flight.

The aircraft will take off from Zamboanga City International Airport at 8 am and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 9.45 am. 

It will commence its return flight at 10.45 am on the same day and expected to arrive in Zamboanga 12.30pm,” she said.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said at the International Airport of Kota Kinabalu (KKIA)  that the aircraft would be given a typical salutation by water when arriving on March 31st and that Sabah Tourism Board (STB)'s cultural troops would welcome its passengers on their traditional basis.

In the meantime, Carl Moosom, Sabah Chairman of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council, announced that he will send a large Sabah representative to take part in the opener next month.

He says that BEBC Sabah Sabah Deputy President Datuk James Lim and Tawau Chairman Wong Thart Sin will jointly lead the Sabah delegation.