THE heat from the Sept 11 US attacks has touched the sensitive cord of another airline, Singapore Airlines whose office in Kota Kinabalu has ceased operating its Kota Kinabalu-Singapore route effective Oct 27.

The airline office in Wisma KWSP has issued a surprise notice to all its agents here two days ago that it will stop operating the sector and vice versa on the said date.

Some 11 staff including ticketing, clerical clerk and ground handling currently serving in the company will be affected by the airline’s decision to fold up its business here.

To many, the decision was totally unexpected, as the airline has been enjoying a brisk business all this while.

"After all the fare for the Kota Kinabalu to the Lion City was said to be selling cheaper than other airlines," said Kelvin Tang, a member of the public.

The news was also a surprise to most of the staff as well, as the top management here has left for Singapore to discuss the next cause of action to be taken.

Most of the travel agents interviewed by the New Sabah Times in a random survey were either had been informed or are not aware of the news at all.

"Singapore Airlines served here twice a week-Tuesday and Saturday. We received a circular from the airline office yesterday informing us about their decision to stop the Kota Kinabalu-Singapore sector," said a ticketing staff from Good Country Tours Sdn Bhd.

"According to the circular, passengers who have made their bookings or had taken their tickets will have their money refunded in full," she said.

"Apart from that those who had already booked to fly after Oct 27 can be rerouted to other airlines without any extra charges or penalty imposed," she said.

She said Singapore Airlines would bear the full responsibility of all the shortcomings caused to the passengers.

"They have been doing quite well here and I have no idea what really contributed to the decision to close down the business here," she said though her company does not sell the Kota Kinabalu-Singapore sector.

"Our sales for the Kota Kinabalu-Singapore sector was not that bad at all because usually we received a lot of bookings during school term holidays," said a staff at Grand Times Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd.

During normal period, most of our travelers from both sides are made up of family groups and businessmen, he said.

"The close-down of the office here is totally beyond our knowledge. Nevertheless our office does not sell Singapore Airlines (tickets)," said a staff from Best Delight Travel and Tour Sdn Bhd.

"Passengers who have collected their tickets or made a reservation with us will be advised to change to other airlines," said a staff from Rafflesia Tour Sdn Bhd

"The news came as a surprise to most of travel agents in town because the business of that airline seems quite good. Most of the passengers we informed were not aware of the decision but they feel frustrated ," she said.