KUCHING – Sarawak marked a significant milestone in its aviation journey with the official launch of AirBorneo’s inaugural flights, following the carrier’s acquisition of MASwings effective 1 January 2026.
The ceremony, held at the VIP Terminal of Kuching International Airport, was officiated by Minister for Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who described the event as the beginning of a new chapter in regional connectivity.
The airline’s first operations featured an ATR72-500 flight to Mukah at 8.25am, followed by a DHC6-400 service to Tanjung Manis at 8.45am, reflecting AirBorneo’s immediate focus on linking urban centres with coastal and rural destinations.
The event showcased AirBorneo’s evolution as Sarawak’s homegrown carrier, beginning with a visual montage highlighting its aspirations.
Guests were introduced to the airline’s cabin crew uniforms, designed with modest tailoring and accented by keringkam-inspired scarves, symbolising Sarawak’s cultural heritage.
Passengers on the inaugural flights were greeted with a safety briefing and aircraft presentation before boarding, receiving warm send-offs from officials and invited guests.
The launch underscored Sarawak’s broader commitment to enhancing mobility and ensuring reliable air services for communities that depend on aviation as a lifeline.
Beyond commercial operations, AirBorneo carries a public-service mandate, tasked with maintaining access between major towns and remote areas across East Malaysia.
The airline’s leadership has emphasised that its phased transition from MASwings branding will balance local identity with international standards.
Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin highlighted that the airline’s debut represents confidence in Sarawak’s aviation future.
He noted that AirBorneo’s operations will strengthen regional growth ambitions while ensuring that connectivity improvements translate into tangible benefits for communities.
The ceremony was attended by several senior figures, including Deputy Minister for Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Sarawak Datu Wong Hee Sieng, alongside other distinguished guests.
With its first flights now underway, AirBorneo is positioning itself as a carrier that blends Sarawak’s local identity with global aviation standards, signalling a new era of connectivity and growth for the state.
