By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 16: AirBorneo is eyeing proposed direct flights from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to improve air connectivity and support economic development in central Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the proposed connections formed part of the airline’s network assessment to improve public mobility and expand travel options.
“AirBorneo plans to fly commercial routes within Sarawak in 2027. However, this is subject to the availability of suitable commercial aircraft, air traffic rights, regulatory approvals, airport support, crew requirements, maintenance arrangements and demand viability,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Jerip said the Sarawak government had also engaged airlines to address Sibu’s connectivity needs, including efforts to resume suspended routes.
Following the latest engagement with AirAsia, the airline has agreed to resume the Sibu-Kota Kinabalu route from Nov 2, 2026, with four flights per week.
Currently, AirAsia operates four daily flights between Sibu and Kuching, while Sibu to Kuala Lumpur route is served by AirAsia with three daily flights, Malaysia Airlines with two and Batik Air with one.
Jerip said the ministry would continue monitoring passenger demand and engaging airlines to ensure adequate flight capacity and explore opportunities to improve air services from Sibu.
He added that further updates on AirBorneo’s proposed connections would be provided once network planning, approvals and operational readiness had been finalised. — DayakDaily
