KOTA KINABALU: Tourism players are calling for Sandakan to be developed as Sabah’s second international airport, saying it is key to unlocking more economic opportunities and attracting visitors beyond Kota Kinabalu.
Sandakan Tourism Association president Teo Chee Kim said the east coast town is positioned to serve as a strategic international gateway, especially at a time when Sabah’s tourism connectivity is under pressure.
“The recent suspension of seven AirAsia routes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) has cast serious doubt on the resilience of our tourism infrastructure.
“More than 70,000 seats were lost, and this should be a wake-up call. Relying on a single international airport is no longer sustainable,” he said in a statement on Friday (April 11).
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Teo said travellers often have to double back to KKIA to fly out of Sabah, making trips costlier and more time-consuming.
“If Sandakan is connected directly to key hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, or Guangzhou, we could offer a seamless travel experience from coast to coast without the need to U-turn," he said.
He added that better connectivity would encourage tourists to explore the state beyond Kota Kinabalu, opening new opportunities for trade, business and rural tourism in the east coast.
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“A second international airport in Sandakan will be a game changer. It would reduce travel costs, cut down waiting times, and increase Sabah’s appeal as a well-connected destination,” Teo said.
He warned that Sabah could lose ground to neighbouring regions if it fails to act fast.
“Our neighbours are aggressively enhancing their connectivity and attracting tourists. If we don’t do the same, we will be left behind,” he added.
