TAWAU, Oct 27 – The expansion of the Tawau Airport, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Budget 2025, is an important catalyst to boost the tourism sector in Sabah.
Sabah Cross Border Traders Association manager Tasman Matto said the airport expansion is important to provide a high-capacity airport on the east coast of the state to support the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, which is on the west coast.
He said it would also pave the way for Tawau Airport to meet the greater needs of international tourism on the east coast of Sabah.
“Tawau is a strategic hub for the East ASEAN Development Area (BIMP-EAGA) and with this airport expansion, Tawau Airport can grow and become one of the main transport hubs in the region.
“In fact, Tawau’s strategic location near the Indonesian capital, Nusantara, opens up economic opportunities.
“Apart from Tawau and the surrounding areas such as Kunak and Lahad Datu which have their own tourist attractions, Semporna is a popular destination among Chinese tourists,” he told Bernama news agency.
According to Tasman, Tawau Airport now accepts Chinese tourists through direct AirAsia and Batik Air flights from China and Macau, as well as 32 special charter flights from the republic to Tawau.
The airport also receives domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Kuala Lumpur.
Tawau Airport was originally designed to accommodate 1.5 million passengers a year, but last year, it recorded operating with a capacity of 1.71 million passengers last year.
Its cargo services also saw a big jump with 13,000 tons handled last year compared to 4,000 tons in 2019.
