KUCHING: Sarawak is open to discussing measures to make it easier for civil servants to apply for travel warrants to use Air Borneo, as the state prepares to expand the airline’s operations and regional connectivity.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposal could be considered through discussions with the airline’s management, noting that plans for Air Borneo are already in place.
“There is no problem, we can discuss it. In fact, there are plans,” he told reporters after participating in the ‘Walk For Health Programme with Premier’ here on Sunday (Feb 1).
He said further developments are expected after July, coinciding with the start of jet operations, which will enable Air Borneo to connect Kuching directly to international destinations.
“With the jets, we will be linking Kuching to overseas destinations, including Japan, Korea and within ASEAN,” he said.
For regional routes within Borneo, including Balikpapan, Samarinda and Pontianak, Abang Johari said the airline would utilise ATR aircraft, with improvements planned to enhance passenger comfort.
“The ATR configuration will be changed to make it more comfortable, as these are short-distance destinations,” he added.
Touching on the broader economic impact, he said Sarawak’s medical tourism sector is showing strong growth, based on statistics monitored by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Medical tourism is very high now,” he said, adding that this growth has prompted further investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Among the developments highlighted were new private hospitals, including Gleneagles Hospital in Batu Lintang, a medical facility at North Bank, Tabuan, as well as the expansion of Borneo Medical Centre.
