TRANSPORT Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has given his assurance that all existing MASwings staff will be absorbed into AirBorneo as the state-owned airline prepares to take over rural air services (RAS) in January next year.
He said the move is crucial to ensure a seamless transition and to avoid any disruption to flights serving interior communities.
“All the existing MASwings staff will be absorbed by AirBorneo, unless they don’t want to. They are given the assurance that every one of them will be taken in.
“We want to ensure there will be no interruptions. The moment we take over, we will be able to provide services for our rural air service as usual,” he told reporters after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech in the State Legislative Assembly today (Dec 2).
Lee said AirBorneo will begin operating RAS in January, using existing ATR and Twin Otter aircraft.
“The airline will gradually introduce its own logo and livery in phases over a six-month period to avoid grounding multiple aircraft at once,” he added.
He also confirmed that the airline’s operations will remain continuous during the takeover, with ticketing for domestic flights expected to be launched soon.
After the takeover, the ministry and AirBorneo will work on applying for a variation of the Air Operator’s Licence (AOL), followed by meeting regulatory requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“These regulatory processes take time because airline operations involve stringent safety standards,” he said.
Lee expects AirBorneo’s regional jet operations, including flights to Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring countries, to start towards the end of 2026, subject to aircraft availability and regulatory approvals.
He also emphasised that AirBorneo will be run professionally by its board, while the ministry will focus on policy oversight.
On job creation, Lee said priority will be given to Sarawakians, especially youth, for positions such as pilots, cabin crew, mechanics and aircraft engineers.
“One of the objectives of having our own airline is to create more job opportunities. The aerospace industry has huge potential for high-income careers,” he said.
Earlier, Lee said AirBorneo’s network plan for Sibu is currently in the planning stage.
“The airline will progressively enhance connectivity by strengthening Sibu’s links to major cities across Sarawak, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur, including potential international routes, subject to market conditions and aircraft availability.
“AirBorneo is also committed to offering competitive airfares compared with existing airlines, ensuring that Sarawakians, including those travelling to and from Sibu, have access to affordable, reliable and improved air travel options,” he said.
