IPOH: The Perak government has urged SKS Airways to consider resuming flights from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport to Pulau Pangkor, especially during peak season.
State Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said the state government was disappointed with the company's decision to temporarily halt commercial flights to Pulau Pangkor on May 29.
"They didn't divulge the reasons, but I believe this is a business decision. It is not because no one is visiting Pulau Pangkor. Most visitors just prefer to drive (to the jetty and take a ferry to the island).
"But due to the company's business concern, we respect its decision.
"We hope it will reconsider and offer flights during peak season rather than throughout the year," she told a press conference today.
She said the company's decision could be due to Pulau Pangkor's location, which is accessible through the West Coast Expressway.
"In terms of tourist arrivals, we are getting more. We faced a similar situation before when there was a flight service from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur. We don't have that now due to the short distance between the two cities."
On Jan 25, Pulau Pangkor's short take-off and landing port welcomed the inaugural Flight KI6357 by SKS Airways from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, formerly Subang Airport.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir had said daily flights between the airport and Pulau Pangkor would start from Jan 26 with DHC6 Twin Otter aircraft, which can accommodate up to 19 passengers.
Perak police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, who was also present, said 35 tourist police officers would be stationed in five districts — Kinta, Taiping, Batu Gajah, Kuala Kangsar and Manjung — to enhance security for local and foreign tourists in Perak.
"Tourist police teams will be stationed at popular tourist spots. They will undergo courses, including in foreign languages, to improve their knowledge and to better assist foreign tourists."