KUCHING: The establishment of a local airline can boost the tourism industry in the state, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister said that when Sarawak has its own airline, it will be easy to bring tourists directly into the state.
“One of the factors that caused the tourism industry to slow down a bit is flights.
“We are having a bit of a problem bringing tourists in because we know that many people want to come here (Sarawak) but have to go through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and so on,” he said at a press conference after the Inauguration of the Sarawak State Malaysia National Archives Building at Jalan Bako, here, today.
He added that the government is trying to establish its own airline.
Earlier Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that Sarawak is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to allow the state-owned commercial airline to operate within three months.
According to him, the small-scale flights will be operated by Hornbill Skyways to bring in tourists to Sarawak.
