By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Feb 13: AirBorneo will play a crucial role in stabilising airfare prices and making air travel more affordable, especially during peak seasons, says Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
During a press conference after the official launch of the Sarawak MTCP Integrity Day 2025 at a prominent hotel here today, Abdul Karim noted that Sarawak’s new airline aims to ensure affordability while driving tourism and economic growth.
“During festive periods, we have seen ticket prices soar to RM1,000 for an economy seat to Kuala Lumpur. With AirBorneo, we aim to create a balance, ensuring that travel remains affordable for Sarawakians and visitors,” he said.
Abdul Karim also stressed that AirBorneo is not just another airline but a crucial infrastructure investment that enhances connectivity.
“AirBorneo does not emphasise profitability alone. It is an infrastructure, much like a bridge.
“If we build a bridge costing over a billion ringgit, it may take a thousand years to recover the investment through return on investment (ROI). But the government bears this responsibility to provide comfort and convenience to the people,” he stated.
The minister further highlighted that the airline gives Sarawak full control over its route planning and destination marketing, a major shift from previous limitations where the State depended on external carriers.
“With our own airline, we have the prerogative to determine our destinations. While we will initially adopt MasWings’ routes, we will gradually introduce new destinations based on demand,” he said, adding that this would contribute significantly to the State’s tourism industry.
He also acknowledged the role of other airlines such as Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia in supporting Sarawak’s tourism but reiterated that AirBorneo would help create a more competitive and affordable travel market.
Abdul Karim further revealed that with AirBorneo’s hub set to be in Kuching, it could bring substantial economic benefits through spin-off industries such as aircraft maintenance, refuelling, and cargo handling.
He noted that the State government is already planning for a dedicated international airport to support the airline’s long-term expansion.
“This initiative will require skilled personnel, including engineers and aviation specialists, ultimately creating more job opportunities for Sarawakians,” he added.
As Sarawak continues to boost its tourism sector, Abdul Karim expressed confidence that AirBorneo will play a pivotal role in increasing visitor arrivals and positioning the State as a premier travel destination.
“Our Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has been actively promoting Sarawak at major travel expos worldwide. With AirBorneo, we now have an additional transportation option to bring in more tourists at competitive rates,” he noted. — DayakDaily
