SKS Airways uses the 19-seater Twin Otter turboprop aircraft that's well-known for its reliability with Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities (Photo: Kong Wai Yeng/The Edge Malaysia)
A commercial airline offering passenger, cargo and charter services, new low-cost carrier SKS Airways has just introduced short-haul routes to three popular island destinations in the country namely Pulau Pangkor, Pulau Redang and Pulau Tioman. There are currently no commercial flights to these top island getaways.
In a move to help domestic travel rebound after months of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of these routes will make island-hopping easier. Using 19-seater Twin Otter turboprop aircraft that's well-known for its Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, SKS Airways – with hubs in Subang and Senai – plans to connect Malaysia and beyond to destinations in ASEAN and southern China.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who officiated the event, sent off the maiden flight KI6357 that departed to the tax-free Pulau Pangkor earlier today. Daily flights will commence tomorrow from Subang to Pulau Pangkor; Subang to Pulau Redang from Jan 31; and Pulau Tioman from Subang and Johor Bahru in the second quarter of 2022.
“The routes served by SKS Airways are different from Malaysia Airlines, hence there is no competition,” Wee said, when asked about the local airline industry that is still coping with the repercussions of the pandemic.
With the commencement of all three routes, there will be 12 scheduled flights per day at a full daily capacity of 228 passengers. Although the minimum fare starts from RM160 one way, passengers can opt from a three-tier fare system: Promo, Lite and Plus.
Director of SKS Airways Dato’ Rohman Ahmad also commented, “As a new set-up, we are nimble, agile and flexible, and able to tap into any opportunities that arise. We are positioning ourselves to capitalise on the current pent-up demand for domestic travel, and this will also give us a head start when international travel resumes.”
SKS Airways, part of the multi-disciplined SKS Group with core businesses that span across property development, investment holding, hospitality and credit finance in Malaysia, was incorporated on Nov 13, 2017 as a wholly Malaysian owned airline.
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