HK, TAIWAN AIRLINES TO BEGIN DIRECT FLIGHTS TO SABAH

KOTA KINABALU (M alaysia), April 15 (Bernama) -- Hong Kong Express and
Mandarin Airlines will begin direct flights to Sabah, said state Tourism,
Culture and Environment Minister, Masidi Manjun.

He said Hong Kong Express would ply the HK-Kota Kinabalu route and Mandarin
Airlines the Taipeh-Kota Kinabalu route.

"The new flights are expected to boost tourists from the two nations to
Sabah. For the Taiwanese, we hope the visa-free privileges will create more
interest among them to come here," he told reporters after the media briefing on
Sabah Fest 2011 here Friday.

Hong Kong Express is a subsidiary of Hong Kong Airlines and Mandarin
Airlines is China Airlines's regional and domestic subsidiary.

Masidi said while Hong Kong Express has confirmed plans to fly twice a week
for the route, Mandarin Airlines was still in discussions over the landing
rights.

Earlier this month, a local daily quoted Hong Kong Airlines sales manager
for Malaysia, David Wooi, as saying the maiden flight would depart at 12.05pm on
Apr 22 from Hong Kong Airport and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport
at 3.05pm the same day.

The aircraft would subsequently depart at 3.50pm from Kota Kinabalu and
reaching Hong Kong at 6.35pm.