LIMBANG: AirBorneo’s planned direct flights to Jakarta are expected to strengthen Sarawak’s health tourism sector with the state government expanding regional air connectivity and specialist medical services.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative would be supported by three Boeing 737-800 aircraft scheduled to begin regional jet operations from July this year.
He said the Sarawak-owned airline would initially connect the state with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu and Jakarta, with Kuching serving as the main operational hub.
“The flight from Kuching to Jakarta takes only one hour and 20 minutes. This will encourage health tourism and attract more medical visitors to Sarawak.
“Even now, AirAsia flights from Jakarta are already bringing many patients to Kuching for treatment, including those arriving in wheelchairs,” he said after visiting the construction sites of the Limbang Integrated Administrative Centre (IAC) and the Ranggau housing project on Saturday (Apr 11).
Abang Johari said the trend reflected Kuching’s growing potential as a regional healthcare destination.
He added that the state government was also strengthening Sarawak’s healthcare capacity through the development of new hospitals.
“One hospital will be built at the old Batu Lintang site and another in Tabuan Jaya. Both will be equipped with modern facilities and staffed by specialist doctors,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Limbang Airport was being upgraded to support the expansion of AirBorneo’s flight network.
“Based on the views of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and others, the runway should be extended to enable Boeing aircraft to land,” he added.
AirBorneo is expected to begin jet operations using three Boeing 737-800 aircraft under a wet lease arrangement starting July.
The airline is close to finalising one regional international destination and two domestic routes for its initial phase of operations, subject to regulatory approvals and flight slot allocations.
By the end of 2026, AirBorneo aims to operate about three domestic and three international jet routes, depending on slot approvals.
For its turboprop operations, AirBorneo has also signed an agreement to acquire eight new ATR 72-600 aircraft, to be delivered in stages from next year.
Two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2027, four in 2028 and another two in 2029.
The new aircraft will replace the existing ATR 72-500 fleet and are expected to offer improved passenger comfort, including better seating, enhanced air-conditioning systems and modern electronic cockpit technology.
