KOTA KINABALU: A series of temporary flight suspensions affecting Sabah’s international and domestic connectivity has prompted the state government to adopt a more flexible tourism strategy as global aviation conditions remain uncertain.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Jafry Ariffin said Sabah was closely monitoring developments in airline capacity and international travel demand, noting that route suspensions and reduced flight frequencies were already impacting connectivity into Kota Kinabalu.
Among the affected routes are AirAsia’s temporary suspension of the Singapore–Kota Kinabalu service from May 13 to Nov 30, Jakarta–Kota Kinabalu from April 16 to May 21, and Ho Chi Minh–Kota Kinabalu beginning July 1.
Batik Air has also suspended its Seoul–Kota Kinabalu route effective April 28.
Domestically, AirAsia will temporarily halt its Sibu–Kota Kinabalu and Bintulu–Kota Kinabalu services from June 8 to June 30.
Jafry said the changes reflected broader external pressures affecting the aviation sector, including geopolitical tensions, rising operational costs and shifts in airline capacity allocation.
“We are already seeing these changes impacting airline capacity, with route suspensions and reduced frequencies affecting connectivity into Kota Kinabalu, and we are closely monitoring developments to ensure our tourism planning remains responsive,” he said.
Despite the disruptions, Sabah’s tourism sector remains broadly on track. Preliminary statistics showed the state recorded 932,970 visitor arrivals up to March 2026, comprising 537,317 domestic travellers and 395,653 international visitors.
The state has set a target of 4million tourist arrivals this year, which is also in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Jafry said the figures still support Sabah’s original target of four million arrivals this year, although the projection may be revised depending on further developments in airline connectivity and market conditions.
“As at March, arrivals are still on track towards the original target of four million arrivals, but target may be revised depending on real-time developments in airline connectivity and market conditions,” he said.
He added that the state’s tourism planning now incorporates scenario-based assessments, ranging from prolonged external disruptions to a potential recovery in airline capacity.
Jafry said the Ministry and the Sabah Tourism Board would continue engaging airline partners and intensifying promotions in domestic and regional markets with stable air links to sustain visitor arrivals.
“In the current environment, we must remain adaptive and responsive,” he said.
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