KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA: Malaysia Airlines' subsidiary, MAS-wings, affirmed its role in providing greener travel options when its new low-emission aircraft, the 68-seater ATR 72, took to the skies yesterday.

The use of the aircraft also fitted in with Sabah's focus on eco-friendly tourism.

The aircraft consumes 10 per cent less fuel than the smaller Fokker 50, which the airline currently flies to destinations in Sabah and Sarawak. It emits 50 per cent less carbon dioxide per passenger kilometre compared with other new generation jets.

Malaysia Airlines chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said once all the seven ATR 72 on order arrived in about a year, the airline would phase out the Fokker 50 which carried 40 per cent fewer passengers.

"The new aircraft will add capacity for expansion, including for regional destinations.

"This is something which is on our minds, as Kota Kinabalu has the second busiest airport in Malaysia," he said.

The US$18 million (RM62 million) ATR 72 will be used for the twice daily scheduled flights between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu, and once daily flights each between the city and Tawau and Miri in Sarawak.

MASwings managing director Dr Amin Khan said the new aircraft would help the company meet future demands and connect more passengers worldwide to business and tourism destinations in the two states.

"We are also using environmentally friendly meal boxes made from non-coloured, non-bleached palm pulp which is biodegradable. It can be thrown into your garden and will turn into compost."

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said MASwings' decision to introduce a larger aircraft would help boost tourism.

"We will work together to see how we can chart the future of Sabah's tourism by selling more destinations in the state, especially nature destinations.

"We need a reliable air service in order to do this," he said after inspecting the aircraft before it took off for its inaugural flight to Lahad Datu at 12.30pm.