KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS) is considering direct flights between China and Sarawak next year, specifically linking Kuching with either Shenzhen or Guangzhou.
Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin recently made a courtesy visit to Southern China Airlines in Kuala Lumpur together with Deputy Minister (Aviation and Road) Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, Aviation Technical advisor Dr. Sio Yew Hua and Zulkarnain Rosli, the head of aviation at MOTS.
During the visit, Eric Wong, the general manager of Southern China Airlines in Kuala Lumpur, discussed the airline’s operations and routes.
The airline, headquartered in Guangzhou, is the largest airline in China.
In a statement today (Sept 22), the motivation for direct flights between China and Sarawak stems from the rising Chinese investments and tourism in Sarawak particularly with China fully reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presently, it takes almost a full day for travellers to fly between cities like Quanzhou, Shanghai, or Beijing and Kuching. Delays during transit make these trips even longer, wasting valuable time for businesses who emphasise that “time is money”.
The delegation also met with Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB), discussing past requests made by MOTS. Key attendees included the MAHB board chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali, and other senior officials.
Lee highlighted various issues related to Sarawak’s airports, including Kuching International Airport, Sibu Airport, Bintulu Airport, Miri Airport, smaller ones like Mulu Airport, and those operated by the Rural Air Service (RAS).
