SEPANG – AirBorneo Airways will expand its operations across ASEAN while continuing to provide rural air services in Sarawak and Sabah, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
He said the Sarawak government-owned airline will launch its inaugural Kuching-Singapore service on July 22 in conjunction with Sarawak Day, followed by flights to Jakarta within the next two months.
“AirBorneo aspires to provide services within ASEAN cities, thereby strengthening economic relations among ASEAN member states, particularly Indonesia, Singapore and neighbouring countries with Sarawak,” he told reporters after AirBorneo's inaugural Kuching-Kuala Lumpur flight on July 20, as reported by Bernama.
Abang Johari said the acquisition of MASwings allows AirBorneo to continue serving rural communities in the interior of Sarawak and Sabah while expanding its commercial network beyond the two states.
He added that the airline plans to progressively expand to other ASEAN destinations before launching services to East Asia within the next one to two years.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof welcomed AirBorneo's inaugural arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 from Kuching.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government appreciated the federal government's support, particularly the Ministry of Transport's approval, which enabled the airline to operate beyond Sabah and Sarawak.
He described the launch of the Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route as the beginning of AirBorneo's commercial operations and a Sarawak Day gift to the people of Sarawak and Malaysia.
To improve affordability, AirBorneo will offer fixed promotional fares during its first six months of operations, with tickets priced at RM375 for the Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route and RM399 for the Kuching-Singapore service.
The airline is also working to stabilise airfares between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak to make travel more affordable for students and their families.
Looking ahead, Abang Johari said AirBorneo will support Sarawak's ambition to become a regional hub for renewable energy investment and low-carbon industries by strengthening air connectivity.
He added that the airline's capital expenditure plans for the next five years are still being finalised, with additional routes currently under evaluation.
