Air Borneo faces growing scrutiny as passengers report flight cancellations, lengthy delays and operational disruptions across Sarawak and Sabah.
KUCHING: Passengers have voiced mounting frustration over alleged repeated flight cancellations and prolonged delays involving Air Borneo, with some claiming disruptions lasting up to two days on routes across Sarawak and Sabah.
The state-owned airline, which took over operations from MASwings on Jan 1 this year, has come under scrutiny as stranded travellers shared their experiences on social media, citing uncertainty over rescheduled flights and lack of timely updates.
“Flights on Air Borneo that are delayed for up to two days. How can this be happening?” one passenger wrote online.
Another traveller claimed that the state’s leadership was struggling to manage the complexities of running an airline after taking over MASwings operations.
READ MORE: Activist urges Air Borneo to prioritise affordable fares and flight connectivity
“They are now finding out it is not that easy to run an airline. It is not as simple as buying over aircraft and starting flights,” the passenger said.
A separate passenger reported being stranded in Sabah after a return flight from Kuching was abruptly cancelled, with no immediate confirmation of an alternative departure.
Air Borneo has acknowledged operational disruptions, stating that several aircraft are undergoing unscheduled technical maintenance, while others remain grounded due to prior servicing requirements.
The airline also warned that further delays and cancellations may occur in the coming days.
The latest disruptions come amid growing public concern over reliability and rising airfares on key domestic routes, particularly in East Malaysia.
On June 6, social activist Peter John Jaban urged the airline to prioritise resolving connectivity issues, saying air travel in Sarawak and Sabah is a “basic necessity” rather than a luxury.
“Air travel in Sarawak and Sabah is not a matter of luxury. It is the only mode of fast transportation in these two big states,” he said, adding that affordability and reliability should be treated as matters of social justice.
He also called for a stronger focus on domestic connectivity over international expansion as the airline stabilises operations.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had earlier acknowledged the challenges facing Air Borneo, saying the carrier “needs more time” to resolve ongoing operational issues following the transition from MASwings.
“I pray that by next year, we will be able to solve these flight issues that we are facing now,” he said during a recent Gawai Dayak gathering in Kuching.
He added that the airline is still in a transitional phase after the state government assumed control, and urged the public to remain patient.
