KUCHING: AirBorneo is all set to launch its regional jet operations, commencing with direct flights from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Kota Kinabalu (KK) and Singapore in July.
The state-owned airline is expected to lease three Boeing aircraft for the regional service.
AirBorneo took to the sky on Jan 1 this year following the acquisition of MASwings from Malaysia Aviation Group.
Currently, AirBorneo operates a fleet of 14 aircraft – eight ATR 72-500 turboprops and six Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otters – serving rural air routes in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.
Last week, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg suggested that AirBorneo establish a Kuching-Jakarta route to boost medical tourism in the state.
He said the Kuching-Jakarta flight, which takes about 80 minutes, would make it easier for international patients, particularly those from Indonesia, to travel to Kuching for medical treatment.
AirAsia launched the Kuching-Jakarta flight in June 2023, helping to boost leisure and medical tourism in Sarawak.
Kuching is becoming a preferred destination for Indonesians seeking medical treatment and services.
According to Sarawak’s Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the number of foreign patients had surged to 104,106 last year, from 76,796 in 2024 and 64,393 in 2023.
He said this drastic increase demonstrates Sarawak’s strong potential in medical tourism, and the growing confidence among locals and international patients in the state’s healthcare facilities and services.
Currently, there are five private hospitals in Kuching and three more projects approved. Sibu and Miri also have private hospitals. Abdul Karim said this when recently launching Borneo Global Medical Tourism Congress and Expo, scheduled for Oct 22-23, 2026, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Sarawak recorded 653,883 Indonesian arrivals in 2024, with a target of 784,700 set for 2025.
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub has the support of aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
Airbus Asia-Pacific president Anand Stanley said the company supports Sarawak’s push into aviation and related sectors, and is “very excited” about its growth potential as a regional hub.
He noted that Sarawak’s strategic direction could extend well beyond strengthening domestic connectivity to playing a wider role in regional aviation.
Besides expanding its air service networks, AirBorneo is also modernising its fleet.
The airline is scheduled to begin taking delivery of eight new ATR aircraft from the European manufactutrer starting in 2027.
Under an agreement signed recently, AirBorneo confirmed a firm order of five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s, along with purchase rights for four additional aircraft.
Deliveries are expected between 2027 and 2029.
