KOTA KINABALU: The Transport Ministry has approved three new air routes to connect Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri with Singapore on budget airline AirAsia.

The three direct flight routes are expected to start before the year-end. Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said final negotations were under way between the Malaysian and Singapore authorities as well as the airline.

"The new routes are in line with the country's open sky policy. We hope to finalise negotiations by this month."