KUCHING: Sarawak-owned carrier, AirBorneo Airways, is on track to launch its first scheduled services beyond East Malaysia, with the state government inspecting the airline’s operational readiness just days before its inaugural flight.
According to a statement, Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, visited Kuching International Airport (KIA) today to review AirBorneo’s preparations, describing the launch as a historic milestone for the state’s transportation sector.
During the visit, Lee toured the airline’s newly arrived Boeing 737-800 aircraft and was briefed by AirBorneo management on flight operations, passenger handling, engineering support, safety procedures, and ground services.
He was informed that AirBorneo conducted a full-scale wet run exercise on July 16 under simulated commercial operating conditions, with passengers and full cabin crew on board, and a further exercise involving two aircraft is scheduled before the airline transitions to commercial operations on July 18.
Lee also disclosed that AirBorneo Board Chairman and Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, officially launched the airline’s ticketing office at KIA earlier the same day, which he said marks another milestone as the airline enters the final stage of preparations.
“The launch of AirBorneo’s first scheduled service beyond East Malaysia is much more than the introduction of a new route. It represents another historic milestone in Sarawak’s transportation sector,” he said in a statement.
AirBorneo’s inaugural Kuching-Kuala Lumpur-Kuching service is set to commence on July 20, followed by its first international route, Kuching-Singapore, on July 22.
Lee said the airline was established to provide reliable and quality air services while complementing existing carriers, improving connectivity and accessibility, and supporting tourism, business travel and Sarawak’s long-term economic growth.
He added that AirBorneo is targeting scheduled services to Kota Kinabalu and Jakarta early next year, subject to regulatory approval and operational readiness, as more aircraft join the fleet through 2027.
Lee said the state government remains committed to supporting AirBorneo’s long-term growth as part of efforts to position Sarawak as a leading aviation hub in Borneo and the ASEAN region.
