By Shikin Louis and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 27: The new Sarawak-owned airline, once up-and-running, is poised to turn Kuching into an aviation hub as it set sights on expanding its wings to serve regional routes directly, covering destinations such as Jakarta, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Korea, Japan, Australia as well as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that despite being a boutique-sized airline, it would cater to regional routes with flight durations ranging from 6 to 7 hours, reaching to the Far East, Asean as well as covering domestic routes.
“Currently, MASwings is serving the rural air services in Sarawak and Sabah. But with the takeover by Sarawak government, one of our proposals is to go beyond Borneo into regional areas with a range of 6 to 7 hours.
“This means we can reach the Far East like Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and cities in that region. It would also serve India, and Australia,” he said during a doorstep interview after witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Sarawak government, Hornbill Skyways Sbd Bhd and MAG at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He pointed out that the airline will adopt its own business model that differs from other major commercial airlines which involves managing aircraft with efficiency rather than amassing a large fleet.
“As long as the aircrafts keep flying and servicing the routes, otherwise depreciation costs will be incurred.
“If aircrafts don’t fly, then there will be no money coming in, while we need to cover various costs including rental and operation. Planes must fly, unless for maintenance when they will be grounded,” he added.
Meanwhile, today’s MOU for the Management of Rural Air Services (RAS) by Acquisition of Shares in MASwings Sdn Bhd is to advance the negotiations between both Sarawak and Federal Ministries of Transport including Khazanah Nasional for MASwings takeover.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Art Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Federal Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and MAG Group chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin were among those present. — DayakDaily
