Kuching: Sarawak state-owned airline AirBorneo Airways anticipates robust demand for its newly introduced international route from Kuching to Singapore, following the inaugural flight on July 22. Its chief executive officer, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, expressed optimism about the new jet operation, noting the encouraging response from Singaporean travelers, particularly ahead of the approaching festive seasons.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the airline attributes the positive response primarily to its competitive pricing, with fares starting from RM399 for an all-in, one-way economy seat and RM871 for business class. "Although we just opened for sales on July 13, we have seen very good response for next year's Chinese New Year period," Megat Ardian stated, highlighting the strong demand and smooth operations of the inaugural flight.
The first AirBorneo flight MY363 took off from Kuching on Wednesday at 6.50pm, landing at Changi Airport at 8.04pm. The return flight MY364 departed Singapore at 9.27pm, arriving in Kuching at 10.36pm. Launched in conjunction with the Sarawak Day celebration, this route marks a significant milestone for AirBorneo, underscoring Sarawak's vision of becoming a dynamic gateway to the region.
Megat Ardian emphasized that the new route signifies the start of AirBorneo's international expansion, as the airline strategically grows its network across the region. "Singapore is a natural choice for our first international destination, reflecting the strong connectivity and close economic ties between Sarawak and one of the region's key aviation and commercial hubs," he remarked, adding the airline's commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and supporting Sarawak's long-term growth.
Currently, AirBorneo operates daily flights between Kuching and Singapore. Megat Ardian further elaborated on future plans, indicating the possibility of increasing flight frequencies by the end of the year. "Once we get a few more aircraft, that is where we ramp up to double daily, and also maybe by the first quarter next year, we will see a third daily flight," he concluded.