LANGKAWI: Malaysia Airlines flight MH1432, carrying the first batch of fully-vaccinated tourists from Kuala Lumpur, landed safely at Langkawi International Airport here at about 10.40am on Thursday (Sept 16).

       The Boeing 737-800 carrier transporting 159 passengers was the first flight to arrive under the travel bubble project by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

       Present to greet the passengers were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri, Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, state tourism committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad and Langkawi Development Authority chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib.

       Muhammad Sanusi told a press conference the state welcomed tourists to the island resort and hoped they would enjoy their vacation in Langkawi.

       "Today there will be more than 2,500 tourists arriving by air and sea," he said.

       He hoped tourists and tourism industry players alike would ensure strict compliance with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent any spread of infection.

       State police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police will increase patrols at several tourist spots on the island to ensure SOP compliance among holidaymakers as well as tourism operators.