KUCHING: Sarawak-owned airline AirBorneo is spreading its wings across the South China Sea with the launch of its inaugural Kuching to Kuala Lumpur flight on Monday (July 20).
The flight took off from Kuching International Airport at 1pm with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg among the passengers on board.
Abang Johari said the state government decided to form AirBorneo by taking over MASwings Sdn Bhd to improve Sarawak's air connectivity, boosting travel, logistics and economic development.
He said AirBorneo's mandate includes expanding its rural air services within Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan to Peninsular Malaysia and international routes.
"The objective is simple. We want to provide air transportation for our economy, which is important in addition to shipping and ports," he said when launching the inaugural flight.
In addition, Abang Johari said AirBorneo aimed to stabilise airfares on the Kuching to Kuala Lumpur route, particularly during school holidays and festive seasons.
"We need our own airline to stabilise the fares. When we announced our fixed fare of RM375, other airlines started lowering their fares. Our objective is met when they respond to our price. This benefits not only Sarawakians but all Malaysians flying this route," he said.
AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki said the inaugural flight marked AirBorneo's entry into commercial jet operations with two wet-leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
"With two daily flights between Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, AirBorneo serves a vital commercial link across the South China Sea, strengthening connectivity between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
With Sarawak Day falling on Wednesday (July 22), he added that the Kuching to Kuala Lumpur flight was the best present for Sarawakians.
AirBorneo is scheduled to introduce its Kuching to Singapore service on Wednesday (July 22), while flights to Kota Kinabalu and Jakarta are planned to start next year.
