KUCHING: AirBorneo Airways (AirBorneo) is set to expand its regional network to key destinations across Asia, strengthening Sarawak’s air connectivity while opening up new opportunities for tourism and economic growth.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the airline would adopt a phased approach in expanding its network to the important destinations.
“We just concentrate on Asia, hopefully we will connect with South Korea, through the Jeju Island, because both are geoparks under UNESCO.
“It is still very new, but will be developed organically,” he said during the Soul of Borneo Gala Dinner at Voco Hotel, here on Wednesday (Aug 19).
He said the proposed connectivity would not only facilitate travel but also strengthen people-to-people links across the region, including between Sarawak and other destinations with shared tourism and heritage interests.
Abang Johari also highlighted Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and tourist facilities, including the development of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system in Kuching.
He said the hydrogen-powered public transport system would use one of the cleanest forms of energy and place Sarawak among the pioneers in the region in adopting hydrogen for public transportation.
“I must apologise to you, delegates covering Kuching because a lot of construction is going on now, particularly for the convenience of tourists and our friendly visitors coming in.
“We are constructing a public transport, ART, and this will be powered by hydrogen, the cleanest energy in the world. And we are among, I think, the first in this region using hydrogen as part of our power to power our ART, our own public transport,” he said.
Abang Johari said the initiatives formed part of the state government’s broader economic policies to enhance connectivity while upgrading infrastructure and facilities for tourists and visitors.
He also expressed hope that the improved connectivity would allow Sarawak to showcase the richness of Borneo to visitors while strengthening regional ties.
“We hope that with this connectivity and also the various facilities that we are upgrading, we are able to connect everybody and share what Borneo has and let us also share the soul of Borneo,” he said.
