KOTA KINABALU, April 29 -- Sabah's tourism sector is bracing for turbulence as the ongoing Middle East conflict begins to ripple through global travel, prompting airlines to rationalise routes and forcing the state to rethink its connectivity strategy.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said airlines have cited profitability and operational concerns linked to the conflict as key reasons for the reduction of direct flights into Sabah, including routes to Kota Kinabalu and Tawau.

"Airlines do prioritise routes based on profitability, and with the current geopolitical situation, they are reviewing frequencies and passenger loads. These are among the reasons given for cutting back flights to Sabah," he said ...