For the first time, Sandakan will be connected by air with Taipei, Taiwan through a special flight service starting this Friday (Feb 16).

Operated by Malindo Air, the flight will depart Sandakan Airport at 2am and arrive in Taipei at 5.30am.

The same plane carrying some 160 Taiwanese passengers will then depart Taipei at 6.30am and arrive in Sandakan at 10am.

The next flight service on Feb 20 will depart Sandakan at 9pm and expected to arrive in Taipei at 1.30am.

According to Sabah Barisan Nasional Youth Chief Yamani Hafez Musa, the flight service was established by a group comprising youth leaders, Sandakan Tourism Association (Stan) Chairperson Johnny Lim and Parti Gerakan Sabah Youth Deputy Chief Chan Tzun Hei following discussions after the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) dialogue programme.

"This is to promote Sandakan's tourism attractions such as Agnes Keith House, Puh Jih Sih Temple, Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Bilit Kinabatangan, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Libaran Island, as well as local delicacies and fresh seafood," he said.