KUCHING: Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, has called on Scoot Airlines to explore the possibility of introducing a direct Singapore-Bintulu route as a new service.
During a meeting with Scoot Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, Calvin Chan, and their management team, Tiong emphasised the strategic importance of re-establishing a direct Singapore-Bintulu route, which was previously operated by other carriers before the pandemic but has yet to resume.
“Bintulu Airport serves as a key gateway to Samalaju Industrial Park, a major heavy industry zone located within the greater Bintulu area but outside the town centre.
“The area attracts a significant number of international professionals, business travellers, and visitors.
“Establishing this direct route would greatly enhance convenience for these travellers, who currently need to transit via Miri, Kuching or Sibu, and support the region’s economic and tourism development,” he said in his official Facebook post today.
He also said that the meeting covered broader discussions on enhancing air connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia, including potential increases in Scoot’s Singapore-Langkawi flight frequency to boost tourist arrivals.
“In addition, I highlighted the growing demand for improved air connectivity to Tawau, Sabah, given the steady rise in visitors heading to Semporna – an increasingly popular destination that lacks its own airport – underscoring the need to strengthen links into the region via Tawau,” he said.
Tiong further urged Tourism Malaysia and Scoot Airlines to expedite the formalisation of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Scoot and Tourism Malaysia, to leverage Singapore’s strategic position as ASEAN’s financial and aviation hub.
“Through stronger collaboration and enhanced connectivity, we can attract more international visitors to Malaysia by offering smoother entry points and seamless travel experiences.
“This aligns with our ongoing efforts to position Malaysia as a preferred, accessible, and well-connected destination for global travellers,” said Tiong.
