By Amanda L
KUCHING, Dec 2: AirBorneo is poised to commence operations in January 2026 as Sarawak enters the final phase of its MASwings takeover, which will be completed on December 31, 2025.
According to Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the transition will enable the State-owned carrier to assume full operational control and begin independent services early next year using the existing Rural Air Services network in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.
He said that it will operate under its own branding from January 2026 with two aircraft, comprising an ATR and a twin-engine rotorcraft.
“The full rebranding exercise, including repainting the fleet with the AirBorneo identity, will be carried out in phases and is expected to take about six months,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
He said preparatory work for AirBorneo’s transition is progressing, with plans to introduce a regional jet service by the third quarter of 2026, subject to aircraft availability, airport slot allocations and regulatory clearance.
Following its expansion plan, the airline also aims to strengthen routes between key urban centres across Sarawak, Sabah, and Kuala Lumpur.
“Plans for Sibu services are still being finalised, while potential international routes will be assessed based on market demand and aircraft availability,” he said during a press conference following his winding-up speech.
Lee said the airline aims to offer competitive fares to ensure Sarawakians benefit from reliable and affordable air travel once the new carrier is operational. — DayakDaily
