SHANGHAI: Spring Airlines will increase its Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu flights from one to two daily starting December, according to the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.
The increase was announced during a courtesy visit by Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin to Spring Airlines in Shanghai on Wednesday, where he met Spring Group Assistant President Li Jian.
Jafry said the additional flights would provide more seats and improve accessibility from China, one of Sabah’s key international tourism markets, ahead of Visit Sabah 2027.
The move comes as Spring Airlines transitions its Sabah operations from non-scheduled to scheduled services, while the airline said it continues to expand despite rising fuel prices, which increased about 67 per cent from February to September and account for about 35 per cent of operating costs.
Jafry said the airline’s decision to increase frequencies despite the operating pressures showed continued confidence in the Sabah market, adding that strengthening connectivity and making Sabah easier to reach remained a priority ahead of Visit Sabah 2027.
