By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 25: Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke does not see AirBorneo as a ‘zero-sum game’ but rather as complementary to the national aviation sector.
According to Bernama, Loke said the Sarawak-owned airline will instead strengthen regional connectivity and enhance air travel in Sarawak and Sabah without disrupting the country’s existing aviation landscape.
“They are focusing more on the Borneo side. I do not see it as a zero-sum game because their hub will definitely be in Kuching,” he said.
He said this in response to questions about the potential impact of the acquisition on Malaysia’s broader aviation strategy, particularly with regard to balancing regional connectivity and competition with existing domestic carriers, during an event in Sepang on Feb 24.
Loke also emphasised that AirBorneo’s goal is to increase the number of destinations from Kuching, thus improving connectivity within the region.
“Of course, this is part of ongoing efforts by the Sarawak government, and as far as we are concerned, we support it,” he said.
The acquisition was sealed through the signing of a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) between the Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). — DayakDaily
