KOTA KINABALU: Direct international charter flight connectivity to Sabah's east coast Tawau district are expected to expand from next month, says state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She said Batik Air will launch charter flights to Tawau from three cities in China.
Three weekly flights from China's Pudong will commence in April and from Chengdu in July while three weekly direct flights from Shenzhen are scheduled to begin in June, she added.
"The direct flights will see a tourism boom in Tawau. We believe many of those coming are first-time visitors to the state's east coast.
"It will be an eye-opening experience as they take in our natural beauty and other unique attractions," she said on Monday (March 4) in welcoming the expansion of charter flights.
The Tawau district is the gateway to Sabah's world-renowned diving haven of Sipadan Island in Semporna.
Liew thanked the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) team for its continuous efforts in promoting Sabah as a destination abroad.
In January, Tawau airport received its inaugural international flight when Firefly connected Nanjing to the town.
