.KOTA KINABALU: In spite of Sabah’s impressive tourism growth—projected at 3 million arrivals in 2024 (surpassing targets) and generating RM4.88 billion in revenue—travellers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) are still subjected to unacceptable conditions.
However, the lack of aerobridge usage by AirAsia forces passengers, including elderly individuals and families, to navigate hazardous tarmac walks during frequent thunderstorms, exposing them to risks of slips, falls, and lightning strikes.
The cost of aerobridge usage is merely RM85 per instance (which is less than 25 sen per passenger).
In making this appeal, Sabah MCA Treasurer Dato’ Chin Kim Hiung called on the Sabah State Government to follow Sarawak’s example of mandating aerobridge usage through direct negotiations with AirAsia, federal authorities, and MAVCOM.
He emphasised that the implementation of aerobridges should be mandatory at all airports in Sabah for the sake of passenger safety and convenience.
“Tourists and residents in Sabah deserve safe and dignified travel. The Sabah State Government must take decisive action—not just make appeals, but issue enforceable demands,” he stated.
