Weekly flights to Sarawak to increase from Oct 1, from 22 gradually to 87

KUCHING: Flight frequency into Sarawak will be gradually increased from 22 to 87 flights a week effective Oct 1, says the state Transport Ministry.

Its minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin (pic) said the decision was made by the state disaster management committee after taking into consideration the new standard operating procedure (SOP) exempting fully vaccinated travellers from within Malaysia from quarantine upon arrival in Sarawak.

The committee also considered other factors including the gradual reopening of Sarawak's tourism sector, schools and universities next month, the current high flight fares and travel demand from the public.

"As a follow-up to the committee's decision, my ministry is calling a meeting today with all airlines and aviation authorities, including the federal Transport Ministry, to look into the details of the new flight schedule,” said Lee.

"This is also to ensure the smooth implementation of the new flight schedule," he added in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 28).

He said the flights would come from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Johor Baru, Kota Baru, Labuan and Singapore to Sarawak's main destinations of Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang.

"With the gradual increase in the flight frequency to Sarawak, we are expecting a rise in the number of passengers and movement of people into the state starting Oct 1," he added.

He reminded passengers to comply strictly with the SOP, including entry procedures, to curb the spread of Covid-19.

According to the guidelines, individuals must apply for entry into the state via the EnterSarawak app or website, fill in the e-health declaration form and submit proof of their vaccination status.

They must also provide a negative result from a PCR test taken three days before departure.