KUCHING: Sarawak is looking to attract more visitors from countries within a five-hour flight radius, including India.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said AirBorneo will progressively expand its jet operations and route network across Southeast Asia, as well as to Japan and South Korea.
He said the state’s political stability, together with improved air and land connectivity, would make Sarawak more attractive to travellers from within the five-hour flight radius.
“We want AirBorneo to be another brand. We are just upgrading our jet services. Being a company that will grow organically, we will add, stage by stage, the jet operation,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the grand opening of voco Kuching Hotel by IHG here today (July 28).
For the record, AirBorneo launched its first international route on Jul 22 with daily flights between Kuching and Singapore, marking the beginning of the airline’s regional expansion following its rebranding from MASwings.
The state-owned carrier has said it plans to progressively expand its network to destinations across Southeast Asia and other regional markets as part of efforts to strengthen Sarawak’s air connectivity.
The expansion is intended to support the state’s tourism industry, facilitate trade and investment, and improve access to key regional destinations.
Singapore was selected as AirBorneo’s inaugural international destination due to its role as one of the region’s leading aviation and commercial hubs, with the airline describing the route as the first step in its long-term international growth strategy.
