By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 26: In 2025, Sarawak will usher in a new era for its aviation industry with the birth of its very own commercial airline that will enhance air service across Sarawak and Sabah, especially the rural areas while also serving as a critical economic link by supporting trade and the movement of ideas across sectors such as tourism, logistics, food supply, and manufacturing.
The airline will act as a powerful engine to drive economic connectivity and opportunity within the region and beyond.
This includes facilitating travel to strategic cities in the Southeast Asia region within a six-hour flight radius from its headquarters in Kuching city. This geographic reach connects Sarawak with regions home to nearly half of the world’s population, strengthening Sarawak’s trade and tourism potential on an international scale.
In alignment with the Federal government’s Rural Air Services (RAS) initiative, the airline will continue to ensure air connectivity to some of the most remote communities across Sarawak and Sabah.
In a commentary by Peter Sibon from the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), it is known that the Sarawak government will acquire MASwings by the end of the year.
This is a strategic move to advance Sarawak’s 2030 vision to steer the region into a developed status under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) by ensuring inclusivity and economic sustainability.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed optimism that the Sarawak-owned airline could begin operations as early as next year.
Speaking at the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2024 dinner at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur last weekend, he stated that the issue concerning Sarawak’s airline acquisition could be resolved within two months.
“We will have our own aircraft, facilitating travel between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,” he affirmed.
His vision for an airline arose in 2019, driven by limited direct and affordable flights, especially during festive seasons, and the need to improve connectivity to foster economic growth as he noted that “Sarawak is on an island and people cannot swim here”.
Concrete plans emerged on June 15, 2023, following a proposal from the Federal government for Sarawak to take over MASwings, a key player in East Malaysia’s commuter airline sector since its launch on Oct 1, 2007.
MASwings: A catalyst for connectivity
MASwings was established to meet Sarawak and Sabah’s air travel needs, providing affordable fares, convenient scheduling, and strong inter-regional connectivity, including to the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Its operations focus primarily on RAS routes, linking rural communities with major urban centres and supporting socio-economic development across Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan. As a subsidiary of the Malaysian Aviation Group, MASwings connects with Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Firefly for greater global connectivity.
MASwings first operated with four 50-seater Fokker and four 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft. By 2009, the Fokker-50 fleets were phased out from operation in favour of newer aircraft – the ATR72-500 models to serve the community better. After five years, MASwings began spreading its wings to Brunei, Indonesia, (Malaysia), and the Philippines under the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) countries.
The airline currently operates eight ATR 72-500 and six DHC-6-400 Twin Otter aircraft, providing a vital lifeline to Sarawak’s most isolated communities. The 19-seater planes fly regularly scheduled services to 11 rural short take-off and landing airports (STOLports), many of which are inaccessible by road.
Today, MASwings serves a total of 22 destinations, including Brunei, on code sharing with main bases in Kota Kinabalu and Miri.
Boosting Sarawak’s tourism industry
The Premier highlighted the airline’s potential to boost tourism, facilitating access to Sarawak’s renowned natural attractions, such as the Unesco World Heritage Sites of Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park.
Beyond these, Sarawak boasts 47 national parks, 15 nature reserves, and five wildlife sanctuaries, which promise unique experiences for eco-tourists drawn to the region’s biodiversity, culture, and history.
Enhanced air connectivity is set to position Sarawak as a top ecotourism destination, potentially driving significant increases in visitor numbers.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, recently announced a record-breaking projection of five million visitors to Sarawak in 2024.
As of July, Sarawak had recorded 2.8 million visitors—a remarkable 25 per cent increase from the previous year’s figure of 2.3 million over the same period. Abdul Karim is optimistic that the four million target could be achieved by September or October.
“I’m very excited about what is happening. We might even hit five million arrivals. This year will have the highest number of visitors, according to the trend from January to July. We have not hit this kind of number in the years before this,” he highlighted during the closing of his Ministry’s Innovative and Creative Circle Convention in Kuching on Aug 12.
By reaching its five million visitor target, Sarawak is poised to generate approximately RM10 billion in tourism revenue, emphasising the sector’s significant impact on the local economy and Sarawak’s aspirations to become the main aviation hub on Borneo Island.
Enhancing supply chain and economic growth
The impact of Sarawak’s new airline will extend beyond tourism, as it will also enhance services across the logistics and agriculture sectors.
It will lower airfares for Sarawakians working and studying in Peninsula Malaysia and improve air cargo transportation, which is essential for Sarawak’s growing agriculture and food industries.
Improved air connectivity will also benefit the business community by facilitating more robust economic growth. With ongoing developments like the new airports in Bebuling (Spaoh), Bukit Mabong (Kapit), and Lawas, Sarawak is bolstering its transport infrastructure to increase mobility and economic productivity.
Enhanced air cargo services will benefit agriculture, food production, and other key industries, further solidifying Sarawak’s economic base and creating more opportunities for local communities.
Sarawak’s strategy to expand agriculture aims to position it as a net food exporter by 2030. By improving air freight capabilities, local agricultural producers will have greater market access, enabling Sarawak’s products to reach both domestic and international consumers.
Achieving PCDS 2030 vision
All these factors are crucial for Sarawak’s drive for greater economic advantage through its focus on green technology and green economy.
Acquiring MASwings and establishing Sarawak’s own airline aligns seamlessly with the PCDS 2030 vision, which aims to transform Sarawak into a developed, high-income region by 2030.
This move embodies Sarawak’s commitment to a green economy and sustainable development while addressing the critical need for accessible air travel and bolstering economic and social inclusivity across the State and the broader Borneo region.
With a growing focus on green technology, agriculture, and tourism, Sarawak’s aviation initiative promises to be a pivotal element in Sarawak’s journey towards long-term prosperity and regional leadership. — DayakDaily
