Sabah Revises Tourism Plans Following Airline Route Disruptions
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is restructuring its tourism development strategy following several airline route suspensions that have affected air connectivity into Kota Kinabalu.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin said the state will adopt a more flexible planning approach amid ongoing uncertainty in the global aviation industry.
According to him, geopolitical tensions, rising airline operational costs and changing airline capacity are directly affecting tourist access to Sabah.
He said several international and domestic routes involving Kota Kinabalu have either been temporarily suspended or experienced reduced flight frequencies.
“We are already seeing these developments affecting airline capacity as some routes are being suspended while flight frequencies into Kota Kinabalu are reduced.
“We are closely monitoring the situation so that Sabah’s tourism planning can adapt to changing global conditions,” he said in a statement.
Among the affected routes are AirAsia’s temporary suspension of its Singapore-Kota Kinabalu service from May 13 until November 30, Jakarta-Kota Kinabalu from April 16 until May 21, and Ho Chi Minh-Kota Kinabalu beginning July 1.
Meanwhile, Batik Air has also suspended its Seoul-Kota Kinabalu service effective April 28.
AirAsia will additionally suspend its Sibu-Kota Kinabalu and Bintulu-Kota Kinabalu routes between June 8 and June 30.
The developments present challenges for Sabah, which has long relied on direct air connectivity to support tourism growth, especially from international and regional markets.
Jafry Ariffin said current global pressures are expected to influence travel demand and tourist arrivals.
He explained that the state government is now using multi-scenario planning that includes possibilities such as prolonged disruptions, gradual market stabilisation and recovery in airline capacity.
Despite current challenges, he said Sabah’s tourism performance up to March remains on track towards achieving its target of four million visitor arrivals this year.
However, the target may be reviewed depending on future developments involving airline connectivity and global tourism conditions.
Preliminary data showed Sabah recorded 932,970 visitor arrivals up to March this year, including 537,317 domestic visitors and 395,653 international tourists.
According to Jafry Ariffin, the state government together with Sabah Tourism Board will continue working closely with airline partners and industry players to strengthen air connectivity and minimise disruptions to visitor flows.
He said the strategy is also supported by continuous market monitoring, industry research and collaboration with airline partners in planning Sabah’s tourism development.
He stressed that Sabah remains committed to sustaining tourism growth by intensifying promotions in domestic and regional markets that still maintain active flight connections.
“We must remain flexible and responsive to ongoing changes to ensure Sabah’s tourism industry remains competitive,” he said.
-wilayah.com.my
