Hong Kong Express, which is under Hong Kong Airlines, will begin direct flights to Sabah to bring in more international tourists.Hong Kong Express provides normal commercial flights and is active in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.Hong Kong Airlines sales manager for Malaysia David Wooi revealed the news yesterday, saying that the company was honoured to offer direct flight routes from Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu.

The maiden flight will depart at 12.05pm on April 22, from Hong Kong Airport and arrives at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 3.05pm the same day. The aircraft will subsequently depart at 3.50pm from Kota Kinabalu and reaching Hong Kong at 6.35pm.Hong Kong Express is currently offering direct flights twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The airline will use the Airbus 737-800 which provides eight business class seats and 156 economy seats.The company is based in Hong Kong. Among the routes it services are from Hong Kong to China, Japan, Taiwan, Moscow, Singapore, Bangkok, Vietnam and Bali.Currently there are only three airlines servicing this route, including Malaysia Airlines, Dragonair and AirAsia.It was learnt that Popular Express travel agency in Kota Kinabalu had chartered the Hong Kong Express in the past to bring in tourists from Hong Kong and China.It is expected that Hong Kong Express will bring in more tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as making it more convenient for locals who wish to visit the three countries.Sabah currently has six overseas airlines providing direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to international destinations, including Dragonair, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Silk Air and Cebu Pacific.