KUCHING: Batik Air proposed direct flights from Subang Airport to Miri and Sibu could begin by year-end, subject to regulatory approval.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said he hoped the new services could commence in time to cater for increased passenger demand during Christmas, the new school term and ahead of Chinese New Year.
The proposed routes were disclosed by Batik Air Head of Sales (Commercial) Arasu Soundarajan during a courtesy call to Lee on Wednesday (Sept 9).
Arasu said the routes were currently awaiting regulatory approval, a process expected to take about two to three months.
“Subject to approval, the services are expected to commence as early as the end of 2026 or by early 2027.
“The proposed Subang-Miri service is initially planned at four flights per week, while the Subang-Sibu service is planned at three flights per week,” he said.
Lee welcomed Batik Air plans to expand its Sarawak network and urged the airline to also consider introducing intra-Sarawak flights connecting Kuching with Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.
“At present, these three direct intra-Sarawak routes are served by AirAsia. There is demand, and people have also requested for more choices,” he said.
He added that greater airline participation would provide travellers with more choices in terms of flight schedules and fares while strengthening connectivity among Sarawak’s major cities.
Lee also proposed that Batik Air study the feasibility of direct international services from Miri to southern China, particularly Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
He asserted Miri could tap not only northern Sarawak travellers but also passengers from neighbouring Brunei Darussalam due to its proximity and favourable exchange rate.
Batik Air said it would study the proposed intra-Sarawak and international routes, with new international markets potentially developed initially through scheduled charter flights in collaboration with travel agencies.
Arasu cited Batik Air’s Kuching-Guangzhou scheduled charter flights, which had recorded encouraging passenger loads, as an example of building demand for new international routes.
Batik Air previously suspended its Kuala Lumpur-Miri service at the end of March this year following adjustments to its domestic operations amid higher aviation fuel costs, aircraft availability and fleet constraints.
The proposed Subang-Miri route would mark the airline’s return to the Miri market under its revised network plan.
