KUCHING: The sale and purchase agreement for Sarawak's acquisition of MASwings is expected to be signed by Dec 31 this year, says state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
He said this was outlined in a heads-of-terms agreement reached by the Sarawak government and MASwings' parent company Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
"Upon signing the sale and purchase agreement, the transfer of MASwings' ownership from MAG to the Sarawak government will take six to nine months, subject to certain conditions," he told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly in his winding-up speech on Monday (Nov 18).
Lee said MASwings would continue operating rural air services during the transition period while also securing licences and approvals from the federal Transport Ministry, Malaysian Aviation Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to expand internationally.
After the acquisition, he said Sarawak would position MASwings as a regional carrier with a flight range of four to seven hours.
"This aligns with Sarawak's vision to enhance its profile as an international destination and attract foreign investment.
"Improved connectivity plays a key role in these efforts," he said.
Lee also said his ministry was in the process of conducting a feasibility study for the proposed new Kuching International Airport.
He said the new airport would be designed to accommodate 15mil passengers a year.
"It will address current capacity constraints and establish Kuching as a major regional aviation hub," he said.
In May, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said a new international airport would be developed to cater for growing air and passenger traffic.
He had said this was necessary as the current Kuching International Airport had exceeded its capacity.
