The establishment of AirBorneo aims to provide more affordable and transparent air services for Sarawak residents, says the deputy prime minister.
KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the Sarawak state government-owned airline, AirBorneo, will help address the long-standing issue of flight ticket costs that have been a complaint among people in the state.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said his aspiration is clear: to provide more affordable, more transparent, and more passenger-friendly air services without compromising service quality.
“As emphasised by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, AirBorneo is a strategic investment to strengthen the state’s economic future.
“The enhancement of air connectivity that will be established will open up more opportunities in the tourism, trade, investment, and regional development sectors,” he said in a Facebook post today.
He said the launch of AirBorneo Airways’ inaugural flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 today is more meaningful as it takes place two days before the Sarawak Day celebration on July 22, marking another historic moment in the state’s development journey.
He said that AirBorneo is not just an airline owned by the Sarawak government but also a manifestation of the state’s ability to build its own future and become a driver of economic growth, strengthen people’s connectivity, and support the development of strategic industries for the prosperity of the state.
Fadillah also said that AirBorneo reflects Sarawak’s aspiration to have greater control over its own air transport network, particularly in ensuring that access to air services in rural areas is maintained for the well-being of the people.
“May AirBorneo continue to grow as the pride of Sarawak and become a catalyst for the progress and prosperity of the state for future generations,” he added.
Earlier, Fadillah welcomed the arrival of flight MY5005, which carried Abang Johari along with a line-up of Sarawak state ministers and distinguished guests at KLIA, Sepang.
