KUCHING: Sarawak-owned airline, AirBorneo, intends to start flights linking East Malaysia with Peninsular Malaysia in 2026 before expanding to regional destinations in South-East Asia in 2027.
Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the airline's expansion would be implemented in phases, in line with fleet availability, regulatory requirements and board approval.
"At this stage, AirBorneo is still operating within Sarawak, Sabah dan Labuan continuing the Rural Air Services (RAS) previously run by MASwings. But once bigger aircraft come in, priority will be given to connecting Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, such as Kuala Lumpur.
"To operate beyond Sarawak, bigger aircraft are needed. That is already part of the plan, with timelines set by quarter," he said during a media conference after receiving a courtesy call from the top management of AirBorneo, here on Monday (Jan 19).
Abdul Karim said the airline currently operates eight ATR and six Twin Otter aircraft, which are sufficient for rural and short-haul services but not for longer routes.
"For next year, at least three jet aircraft are in the pipeline, subject to board approval and aircraft availability," he said.
Abdul Karim said subject to operational readiness, AirBorneo could begin expanding to regional South-East Asian destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines from 2027, before considering wider expansion in later phases.
He said the airline is being positioned as a strategic infrastructure for Sarawak, similar to government-backed airlines in other regions such as Qatar Airways in Qatar and Emirates (Dubai), with returns measured through broader economic and tourism impact rather than profitability alone.
Meanwhile, AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin said the airline's management is currently finalising its network and fleet plans, which will be presented to the board for approval in stages.
"Eventually, the fleet will be built to support those networks. Our priorities are to serve the community, strengthen regional connectivity and build a resilient and sustainable airline, with Sarawak at its heart.
"Eventually, in time, we will have probably another engagement. Once the plans become a bit more firm, once we have presented to the board and once we're ready, then we'll definitely have another engagement with the community," he said. – Bernama
