By DayakDaily Team
MUKAH, Jan 2: The arrival of AirBorneo’s inaugural flight into Mukah today was met with a warm and grand welcome, with Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi among the 54 passengers on board the historic first service that touched down at Mukah Airport this morning.
The AirBorneo flight, MH3421 operated by an ATR72-500 aircraft, departed Kuching International Airport (KIA) at 8.40am and landed safely in Mukah, marking the official start of operations for Sarawak’s own airline.
According to a post shared on Mukah MP Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib social media, Abdul Yakub and fellow passengers were greeted by Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine, Mukah Division Resident Datu Kueh Lai Poh, heads of Mukah Division departments, as well as local community leaders.
The Mukah flight was part of AirBorneo’s inaugural launch, which also saw a second aircraft, MH3711 operated by a DHC6-400, depart for Tanjung Manis at 8.50am carrying 15 passengers. Both aircraft proudly bore the AirBorneo livery, symbolising a new chapter in Sarawak’s aviation history.
AirBorneo’s launch represents a key milestone in the Sarawak government’s long-term development agenda, positioning aviation as a critical enabler of connectivity, economic growth and inclusive development across the State.
Established as a State-owned aviation platform, AirBorneo is designed to serve the long-term interests of Sarawakians, particularly in a geographically dispersed State where air connectivity is essential rather than optional.
For Sarawak, air connectivity is not a luxury but a necessity. Aviation plays a vital role in linking rural and remote communities, supporting tourism and trade, enabling access to education and healthcare, and facilitating business and investment throughout the State.
Through AirBorneo, the Sarawak government now owns and operates MASwings, which continues to provide essential Rural Air Services (RAS) across Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan. During the transition period, operations will continue as business as usual, with safety, reliability and service continuity remaining top priorities for passengers.
The successful arrival of the inaugural flight in Mukah underscores AirBorneo’s role in strengthening regional connectivity and reinforcing Sarawak’s commitment to long-term, people-centric economic development. — DayakDaily
