Who says only countries can fly high? Sarawak just made history by launching AirBorneo — a bold, full-service carrier designed to bring Borneo closer to the world. It’s a first-of-its-kind move in Malaysia, charting a new flight path for regional connectivity and pride.
Not Just Sarawak, But All of Borneo
Let’s be real—“AirBorneo” isn’t just a catchy name (though, yes, it absolutely is). It signals something bigger: this airline represents the entire island of Borneo, the fourth-largest island on Earth, shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
The airline, born from Sarawak’s acquisition of MASwings, will transform from a rural connector to a regional aviation powerhouse. And yes, it’s still committed to rural air services—because no town or kampung gets left behind.
From Rural Routes to Munich Dreams
That’s the dream—and Sarawak’s Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has a flight plan.
For starters, AirBorneo will connect rural destinations across Sarawak and Sabah, then expand into nearby cities within a 4–5 hour flight radius. Think:
- Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya
- Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila
- Hong Kong, Taipei, Guangzhou
- And even Perth or Darwin in Australia.
Further down the runway? Possible long-haul routes to Germany, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
A New Hub in the Making
With Kuching as its hub, AirBorneo isn’t just launching flights—it’s building a future. A new international airport has been proposed to support Sarawak’s aviation ambitions, transforming it into a gateway to ASEAN and BIMP-EAGA (that’s the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area—an initiative to boost economic and transport links in this subregion).
This sets the stage for Kuching to become a regional transit hub, finally cutting out those detours through KL or Singapore.
More Than Travel—It’s About Growth
AirBorneo is about more than just getting from A to B. It’s about:
- Creating jobs across aviation, tourism, logistics, and airport operations.
- Fueling tourism by making Sarawak and Borneo easier (and way cooler) to visit.
- Boosting trade with better cargo connections.
- Strengthening autonomy as Sarawak gains more control over key infrastructure.
As Abang Johari put it, this isn’t just a transportation strategy. It’s an economic transformation.
So What’s Next?
Expect collaborations with international airlines, including code-sharing with Malaysia Airlines, strategic partnerships with aircraft manufacturers, and a growing fleet that supports affordable yet premium air travel.
AirBorneo is not just an airline—it’s a movement that reflects Sarawak’s rising confidence, and Borneo’s boundless potential.
Stay tuned. The skies over Borneo just got a whole lot more interesting.