China's Xiamen Airlines made its maiden flight from China's southern city of Fuzhou to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Saturday.

Malaysian Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) chairman Basir Ismail greeted the 128 passengers of flight MF823 from the southern Chinese city of Fuzhou. The passengers were presented with souvenirs and gifts.

Also on board the plane which landed at about 1:30 p.m. during a heavy downpour was Xiamen Airlines Vice-president You Xianghui. Flying time between Fuzhou and KLIA is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Xiamen Airlines is the 43rd foreign airline to fly to KLIA. The twice weekly flights will be on Wednesday and Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Malaysian minister Ling said Xiamen Airlines' operation to Malaysia augured well in MAHB's bid to make KLIA a major hub in the region.

Ling said that from January, new airlines flying into Malaysia and existing airlines that increased their frequencies to KLIA have been given 100 percent exemption of landing and parking charges for one year.

He said two more airlines were scheduled to begin their services to KLIA, namely Kuwait Airways and Egypt Airways. Their twice weekly services will begin in June and July respectively.

( People's Daily April 28, 2002)