I have been a proponent for Sarawak to have its own airline for more than a decade now. At last, Sarawak is taking off on AirBorneo, and I’m elated.

The acquisition of rural airline MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, by the Sarawak government was finalised with the signing of a sale and purchase agreement on February 12.

At the event, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg announced that the new airline will be known as AirBorneo.

Sarawak had completed its takeover of MASwings following a consensus on asset valuations reached between the Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group.

At present, MASwings operates eight ATR 72 twin-turboprop aircraft which can seat 68 passengers on regional routes, and six Twin Otter short-haul aircraft which can seat 19 on rural routes.

Abang Johari has previously spoken of the Sarawak airline operating to six international destinations in Germany, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. That is a prudent and wise business move.

There were sceptics when Abang Johari first proposed a Sarawak boutique airline in 2019, but I have been totally and openly supporting the premier’s plan.

Why not, when I wanted Sarawak to have one and also made it known publicly? Thirteen years ago, to be exact in 2012, I suggested that Sarawak should have an airline to call her own.

In a press statement I issued on 22 June 2012, as leader of the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS), I expressed support for an Umno MP’s call to the federal government to award another low-cost carrier licence.

The MP had complained about AirAsia, saying the airline had continued to come up with ‘ingenious’ plans to impose unfair charges on passengers.

I shared the MP’s frustrations and disillusionment with AirAsia.

I also suggested that the new licence be given to the Sarawak and Sabah governments to jointly establish an airline to serve the interests of East Malaysians.

“The new airline can also cater for the greater Borneo and the ASEAN region and it can be called Borneo Airways,” I said then.

Well, the new name, AirBorneo, has been decided, not way off from Borneo Airways. I’m happy with it.

“What’s left now is the political will of the Sarawak government to venture into the airline industry which should not be considered ‘unchartered territory’ now,” I added.

Another reason why I support AirBorneo is that when a nation has its own airline, it typically means that the country has a national carrier – an airline that represents the country on the global stage.

I happen to be a Sarawakian who prefers to think of my homeland as a separate entity and not just one of the three partners in the Federation of Malaysia.

AirBorneo is, in short, also a status symbol for Sarawak.

I have mentioned sceptics of the new airline earlier, and it’s true that even several Sarawakian friends have poured cold water on the project, expressing little confidence in its success.

I think that scepticism surrounding the viability of AirBorneo is understandable, given the challenges faced by many regional carriers. However, dismissing it as a failure before it even takes off would be premature.

Critics may argue that AirBorneo will struggle due to factors such as high operating costs, competition from established airlines, and the relatively small market in Sarawak.

However, these concerns do not necessarily mean the airline is doomed.

Several aspects of AirBorneo’s business model suggest that it could carve out a sustainable niche in the aviation industry.

I was happy to hear that Premier Abang Johari specifically mentioned that AirBorneo was set up to serve the people of Sarawak, enabling them to travel on budget-friendly fares even when AirBorneo is a full-service airline.

For me, as long as any project is planned and motivated by the people’s interests, it is less painful to know that losses incurred have been utilised for Sarawakians. I can accept that.

I also think that if the state-owned AirBorneo receives strong backing, whether through subsidies, policy support, or partnerships, it could significantly reduce operational risks.

In time, tourism and business travel could further enhance the airline’s financial sustainability.

AirBorneo also has the potential to become a game-changer for Sarawak’s connectivity.

Many remote areas still rely on long and costly road travel, making air travel a more attractive option.

By improving accessibility, the airline could stimulate tourism, encourage business investments and create jobs, benefiting Sarawak’s economy in the long run.

With the right management, government support, and a well-planned route network, AirBorneo could prove the sceptics wrong and become a valuable asset to Sarawak.

I understand from Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin that AirBorneo is set to be operational in 12 months’ time as fine-tuning the regulatory requirements for the airline’s establishment is a complex process that involves multiple international approvals and compliance with aviation regulations.

Not a problem. For me, what is waiting another 12 months when I have waited 13 years to fly in what I would proudly call Sarawak’s own national airline. And the feeling is good.

(Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at [email protected].)