KUCHING: Committed to a seamless travel experience, AirBorneo will continue enhancing its operational system functions while introducing initiatives for senior passengers at Kuching International Airport (KIA).
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the airline plans to introduce online check-in facilities for flights using ATR aircraft as part of its ongoing system improvements.
He said that currently, the check-in process for AirBorneo flights is still carried out manually, but efforts are actively underway to upgrade the existing system so that the service can be offered online to passengers.
However, he added that for rural routes using ‘twin otter’ aircraft, this cannot be implemented.
“This is due to facility constraints, as the airports involved are small and only handle a very limited number of passengers, about nine people only.
“On the other hand, for flights using ATR aircraft, we will improve the system functionality to allow passengers to check in online,” he told reporters after a working visit to KIA today (Jan 21).
Lee said the visit aimed to personally assess the smoothness of the system currently in use, including the check-in process, baggage handling, and AirBorneo flight arrivals.
He added that so far, the feedback received has been positive, with operations at the check-in counters running smoothly even though the system is still manual.
“At present, AirBorneo has taken over a total of 21 main systems and 11 subsystems, making a total of 35 systems currently in operation,” he added.
For the record, KIA recorded 5.7 million passengers last year, exceeding its original annual capacity of five million.
Lee said this rapid growth highlights the urgent need for operational systems to operate smoothly, ensuring efficiency, passenger comfort, and reliable service delivery amid increasing demand.
Meanwhile, Lee said AirBorneo also plans to improve the system to allow senior citizens to enjoy a 50 per cent fare discount under the Sarawak Rural Air Service (RAS) scheme through online facilities.
“Currently, senior citizens need to check manually or contact the call centre to obtain the discount. We will enhance the system so that this facility can be accessed online in the future,” he said.
In addition, AirBorneo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin revealed that, on average, the daily passenger count for AirBorneo is around 2,000 people.
“Therefore, over a period of about two weeks since AirBorneo began operations, the total number of passengers is estimated between 20,000 and 25,000 people,” he said.
Also present was Senior Manager of Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (Kuching International Airport), Jun Iskandar Murshidi.
