Sarawak: Sarawak-owned airline AirBorneo has been allocated flight slots for Thailand's Winter 2026/2027 schedule, making it one of four new airlines granted operating slots by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Thai aviation regulator announced that AirBorneo, along with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air, the United Kingdom's Virgin Atlantic, and Moldova's SkyUp Nistru, were among the new carriers receiving flight times for the upcoming season. The regulator emphasized that these allocations would enhance travel options and boost air connectivity between Thailand and multiple global regions.
AirBorneo is expected to operate the Kuching-Suvarnabhumi-Kuching route as part of the Winter 2026/2027 flight schedule, as stated on the CAAT's official website. The allocation was coordinated during the 158th Slot Conference, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Bangkok from June 9-11, to manage airport allocation slots for the upcoming winter schedule.
CAAT highlighted that these new flight routes are poised to enhance Thailand's tourism, trade, and investment potential. They aim to support air connectivity between Thailand and major cities worldwide, reinforcing Thailand's position as a regional aviation hub. As the slot coordinator for Thailand's major Tier 3 airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Samui, CAAT reported that out of 146 airlines participating in the conference, 87 requested meetings to discuss flight scheduling and operational plans in Thailand.
Various airlines, including those from Europe, the Middle East, America, Russia, and the Asia Pacific, such as Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Hong Kong Airlines, and Cebu Pacific, engaged in discussions with CAAT officials. However, AirBorneo has not yet made an official announcement regarding the development.
Currently, AirBorneo operates Rural Air Services and has plans to launch jet operations with destinations from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Kota Kinabalu. However, these plans require AirBorneo to secure the necessary regulatory approvals and operational preparations from the respective authorities.