KUCHING: Batik Air has launched its inaugural flight from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang to Kuching International Airport (KIA), marking a significant step in strengthening Sarawak’s domestic connectivity and tourism potential.
The maiden flight, OD1612, arrived in the city on Monday evening with 133 passengers onboard the Boeing 737 aircraft, close to its full capacity of 162.
The new service was welcomed with a cultural reception co-hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), with arriving passengers garlanded with traditional Sarawakian beads.
The ceremony was graced by Minister of Transport Sarawak, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, alongside key representatives from Batik Air, the Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia Airports, and other industry partners.
“This additional option is very much welcomed, particularly by those who find Subang Airport more accessible.
“We are thankful to Batik Air for fulfilling our request for wider access and for expanding their services to cover all four major airports in Sarawak; Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu,” said Lee during a press conference at the Kuching International Airport yesterday evening.
He added that his ministry is also in talks with airlines to expand flight access to Sarawak from Penang, Johor Bahru, and Ipoh, and confirmed that twice-daily flights between Kuching and Pontianak will resume from Sept 12, 2025, following the restoration of Pontianak Airport’s international status.
“Our Sarawak government strongly supports this resumption, and our Indonesian counterparts have also shown great enthusiasm.
“This will further boost cross-border tourism and business,” he said.
The Subang–Kuching service operates daily and the route also facilitates transit access from key destinations, including Don Mueang (Bangkok), Kota Bharu, and Penang.
Lee also expressed hopes that Batik Air would be the first airline to introduce direct international flights from Kuching, possibly to China or South Korea, positioning Sarawak as a true regional hub.
“We have conveyed this request through Batik Air’s local station manager, and we hope their first international flight from Kuching will soon become a reality,” he said.
Kuching currently has international connections to Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, but discussions are ongoing with other carriers, including AirAsia, for further expansion.
