KUCHING: Sarawak aims for its newly launched airline, AirBorneo, to establish connections between the state and destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s own airline would focus on enhancing regional links within Sarawak, Sabah, and Kalimantan before expanding internationally.
“By stages, AirBorneo will become a regional airline connecting us with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and eventually to Jakarta, Bali, Hong Kong, and possibly Shenzhen in China,” he said.
He said this during the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Divisions’ Chinese New Year Dinner Reception held at Imperial Hotel here last night (Feb 12).
Abang Johari also said AirBorneo will operate a jet aircraft as part of its phased development.
“We will develop our airline in stages, depending on market demand. More importantly, our business model will be different from existing airlines in Malaysia,” he said.
He added the airline would serve as a ‘bridge’ to facilitate movement, bringing in tourists and boost trade rather than generating profit.
“You don’t expect to make profit, as long as we can cover the operating expenses. But the success will be measured by the whole Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
“The macro benefit from this airline is as long as we can bring in tourists, they will spend money, hotels will be full and business will thrive — as a result economy and job opportunities will increase,” he said.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations, Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Division president Datuk Richard Wee, and the dinner’s organising chairman Kapitan Datuk Lau Sie Lok.
