KUCHING: A total of 41 international flights are currently scheduled into Sarawak weekly, along with 447 domestic flights, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly was told.
State Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the international flights were mainly from Singapore and Brunei and were operated by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines and Scoot.
As for domestic flights, he said they were from Kota Baru, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu and Labuan to various destinations in the state, including Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
"These flights are operated by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly, MASwings, Batik Air and MYAirline," he told Wilfred Yap (GPS-Kota Sentosa) during question time on Tuesday (May 16).
Dr Jerip also said the state Transport Ministry had worked closely with the federal Transport Ministry and tourism industry players to reinstate flights into Sarawak since the opening of international borders after the movement control order was lifted last year.
He said the ministry held several engagements with airline leaders, resulting in greater connectivity to Sarawak from Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Lumpur into Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, while flight frequencies within Sarawak were also increased.
"With increased flight frequencies operated by more airlines, it will create healthy competition that would result in more affordable and competitive airfares.
"Further engagements were also made to increase flight frequencies into Sarawak during festive seasons and school holidays," he said.
In addition, Dr Jerip said the ministry was working with airlines to expand Sarawak's connectivity to Indonesia and China.
In this regard, he said, Kuching will have its first direct flight to Jakarta commencing June 15.
