TAWAU, Dec 6 — Sabah marked a tourism milestone today as a Loong Air charter from Shenzhen became the first international airline service to land directly here, carrying 143 passengers.

The charter flights, jointly arranged by Shenzhen Kanghui Travel Service and Huan Ya Holidays, will operate on December 6, 10, 14 and 18 to meet strong year-end demand from southern China.