Map of Sarawak's national parks and nature reserves. Photo - Courtesy of SFC


The year 2025 will be the dawn of a new era for Sarawak’s aviation industry with the birth of its very own commercial airline taking to the skies to provide extensive air service destinations to both Sarawak and Sabah remote and rural areas. Additionally, it will also be able to serve Southeast Asia (Asean) region, including strategic cities that lies six hours of flying time from its headquarters based at the Kuching International Airport.
 
According to reliable sources, the Sarawak Government will acquire MASwings by the end of the year. With it comes the responsibility to continue to provide the much-needed rural air services (RAS) which has been introduced by the Federal government to provide air connectivity to some of the most remote areas in both Sarawak and Sabah.
 
According to its website, MASwings is the first East Malaysia commuter airline which caters to the air travel needs Sarawak and Sabah’s travellers by providing affordable fares, convenient schedules and connections within and across the two states in Borneo as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan complementing its tagline.
 
The airline was officially launched on 1st October 2007.  Its operation is mainly focused on the RAS routes in Sarawak and Sabah, which connects the local communities to the big cities. It supports the aspirations of Sarawak, Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan and contributes to the socio- economic development of the region. And being a subsidiary of the Malaysian Aviation Group, MASwings also links with Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Firefly for greater global connectivity.
 
MASwings first operated with four 50-seater Fokker-50 and four 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft, which were used to serve a network of 22 destinations in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. By 2009, the Fokker-50 fleets were phased out from operation in favour of newer aircraft – the ATR72-500, to serve the community better. After five years of since its establishment, MASwings began spreading its wings to Brunei, Indonesia, (Malaysia) and the Philippines under the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) countries.
 
Currently, MASwings fleet consisted of eight ATR 72-500 and six DHC- 6-400 Twin Otter aircrafts. The airlines’ six DHC-6- 400 Twin Otter aircrafts operating out of Miri, formed the RAS, providing a vital lifeline to some of the most remote rural communities in Sarawak. The 19-seater planes fly regular scheduled services to 11 rural short take-off and landing airports (STOLports) many of which are inaccessible by road. As of today, MASwings serves a total of 22 destinations including Brunei on code sharing with main bases in Kota Kinabalu and Miri.
 
As such, the acquisition of MASwings is a strategic move by the Sarawak Government to further enhance its vision 2030 whereby Sarawak is projected to attain developed status through the Post Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, by ensuring social inclusivity as part of the strategy.
 
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg is optimistic that the state’s airline will begin operational by beginning of next year.
 
“The issue concerning our airline could be resolved within two months, and we will have our own aircrafts. These planes will facilitate travel for Sarawakians between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,” he was quoted as saying at the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2024 dinner at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur last weekend.
 
The premier added that the airline would make it easier for visitors from other regions to travel to Sarawak, thus helping to promote Sarawak’s many tourist attractions.
 
“We’ll be able to bring tourists to Sarawak’s two Unesco world heritage sites, namely Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park,” he added.
 
Besides the two Unesco world heritage sites, Sarawak also boast a total of 47 national parks, 15 nature reserves and five wildlife sanctuaries. These tourism products, along with Sarawak’s rich biodiversity will definitely be added value for ecotourists who prefer the unbeaten tracks of Sarawak’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
 
With better air connectivity, it will definitely be a great boost for the Sarawak tourism industry. If this year Sarawak could attract five million tourists, then with improved air connectivity, the number of tourists arrivals is expected to increase tremendously in future.
 
Recently, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato’ Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that for this year, Sarawak is expected to attract a record five million visitors, exceeding its target of four million tourist arrivals. As of July, the number of visitors stood at 2.8 million, a growth of 25 per cent compared to 2.3 million in the same period last year. As such, Dato’ Sri Abdul Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 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 be the highest number of visitors, looking at the trend from January to July. We have not hit this kind of numbers in the years before this,” Abdul Karim was quoted as saying at the closing of his ministry's innovative and creative circle convention in Kuching (Aug 12).
 
If Sarawak could reach its target of 5 million visitors, it would be able to bring in some RM10 billion in revenue. The foreign receipts from tourism sector alone could significantly justify Sarawak’s desire to become the main aviation hub in Borneo Island to tap this lucrative sector.
 
But of course, having our own airline will not just going to benefit and serving only the tourism sector alone. This is because the airline will be able to assist the Sarawak government to provide other services such as freights, lowering airfares for Sarawakians working and studying in West Malaysia and beyond and by providing a more reliable air connectivity for the business community. All these factors are crucial for Sarawak’s drive for greater economic advantage through its focus on green technology and green economy. Thus, its acquisition of MASwings and having its own airline must be seen as part of its PCDS 2030 vision to transform Sarawak into a developed and high-income region by 2030.