VIRGIN Communications
email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk
The
tourism industry in Langkawi will prosper further with more tourist arrivals
from China following China Southern Airlines’ latest thrice weekly direct
flight from Guangzhou to the resort island.
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| Passengers Going To The Arrival Hall |
The
airline’s inaugural flight to Langkawi on July 12, which landed at midnight at
Langkawi International Airport (LIA), marked its fourth destination in Malaysia
besides Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Penang.
China
Southern Airlines General Manager Eric Wang says Langkawi was chosen based on its
popularity with the Chinese in Guangzhou, adding that the Langkawi route will
be using Airbus 320 which can carry 250 passengers per flight.
A traditional welcome ceremony was organised for passengers arriving at the LIA.
 |
| Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid |
Kedah
State Religious, Tourism and Heritage, and Public Works Committee chairman
Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid expects to see a three-fold increase to 380,000 this
year from 127,689 Chinese tourists arrivals to Langkawi last year.
He
says arrivals from China were among the five countries contributing to the
highest number of tourists to Malaysia, with Langkawi being one of the most
popular destinations.
Meanwhile,
China Southern Airlines has also launched its new London-Langkawi.route after the
airline recently increased its London Heathrow-Guangzhou service to twice
daily, meaning passengers can now take advantage of improved connection times
to 30 new destinations across its network.
“Adding
Langkawi to our network allows us to open up the unspoilt and lesser-known
islands of Southeast Asia to the international market, giving those intrepid
travellers the chance to discover some new hidden gems” says Nick Newman, China
Southern Airlines Commercial Manager for the UK and Ireland.
The
fares for this new service start from £398(about RM2,500) return, including
taxes.
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| Welcoming The Inaugural Arrival In Langkawi |
