By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 27: Sarawak’s upcoming airline AirBorneo is on track to take over regional air services, with full operations expected by the first quarter of 2026.
Sarawak Minister for Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, chaired an engagement meeting yesterday with AirBorneo’s board members and management team to accelerate operational preparations, focusing on regulatory approvals, workforce readiness, and branding strategies.
Key priorities discussed included compliance with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), finalising the airline’s rebranding, and ensuring a seamless transition from MASwings.
“Preliminary work is already underway, including the establishment of AirBorneo’s office and the recruitment of key personnel,” he said in a statement today.
To engage the public, the meeting also approved a Logo and Livery Design Competition, inviting Sarawakians to contribute to the airline’s identity.
“Further details on the competition will be announced soon, and we encourage the public to actively participate in this exciting initiative,” he added.
Lee further said by December 31, 2025, AirBorneo Holdings must meet all regulatory, operational, and financial conditions for the full transfer of MASwings.
This includes securing MAVCOM and CAAM approvals, obtaining IATA and ICAO codes, and finalising a New Rural Air Services (RAS) Agreement with the Federal Government to sustain air connectivity beyond 2026. – DayakDaily
