Malaysia Airlines group chief executive officer Izham Ismail told a Sabah delegation that the Kota Kinabalu route was the best seller for the airline during the recently concluded Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) fair.

He said Sabah continued to be an important hub for the airline, which had increased its weekly flight frequency to Kota Kinabalu from 68 to 75 from November to December.

The airline would also resume service between Penang and Kota Kinabalu on Dec 1 because of the high demand.

With the reopening of international borders expected next year, Malaysia Airlines was also prepared to fly international visitors into the country and bring them to Sabah, he said after meeting the Sabah tourism officials led by state tourism, culture and environment minister Jafry Ariffin at the MAB Academy in Petaling Jaya, Selangor yesterday.

Jafry said the positive response for Sabah flight tickets was an indication that tourism was on the mend and that many Malaysians were still eager to visit the state.

“Our ministry and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) are always willing to collaborate with Malaysia Airlines to re-establish both direct domestic and international flights to Sabah.

“We aim to see visitor arrivals pick up after the long hiatus. This cannot be accomplished without help from airline companies,” he said.