SIBU: The first international flight from Singapore landed at Sibu Airport at 6.15pm here yesterday (Dec 16) carrying 180 passengers.
The flight had earlier taken off from Sibu with 175 passengers on board to Singapore and upon its arrival, was given a water cannon salute.
Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that the state is expecting an increase in the number of travellers and visitors coming from Singapore and overseas to the state with the operation of the AirAsia Singapore-Sibu sector.
“In the months to come, with the Singapore-Sibu flights we anticipate the number of travellers and visitors coming from Singapore and overseas to Sarawak will increase,” he said in a press conference before welcoming the passenger’s arrival from Singapore yesterday (Dec 16).
Lee noted that AirAsia is operating the Singapore-Sibu-Singapore sector four times weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and this Singapore-Sibu sector is the third one after Kuching and Miri.
“Although the number of visitors from Singapore to Sarawak has decreased tremendously due to the Covid-19 pandemic especially in 2020 and 2021, Sarawak’s has received 46,340 passengers from January to September 2022 through the Singapore-Sarawak flights to Kuching and Miri.Sibu receives first flight from Singapore
“We all know Singapore very well that it is a significant regional and international hub for finance and business.
“This route from Sibu as well as from Kuching and Miri to Singapore will allow for direct access to the local business community towards a very lucrative ready market for our agriculture, fisheries and local food products,” he said.
Hence, Lee encouraged more entrepreneurs and the business community in the Central Region to seize this opportunity to market their products to Singapore.
“As for visitors, they can explore many natural and riverine activities up the Rejang river and experience the unique longhouse living culture.
“Sibu is the gateway to the Central Region of Sarawak, with convenient land and river transport access to many surrounding towns namely Sarikei, Bintangor, Kapit and Mukah,” he said.
The Senadin assemblyman also said that Singapore is one of the state’s key trading partners.
“Sarawak exports to Singapore in 2021 was at RM1.28 billion compared to only RM1 billion in 2020. Imports from the republic increased to RM1.7 billion in 2021 compared to RM1.17 billion in 2020,” he said.
On behalf of the state government, Lee thanked and congratulated Riad Asmat, the CEO of Airasia Berhad Malaysia and applauded the AirAsia team for their commitment in enhancing Airasia Berhad collaboration with the Sarawak Government.
Lee expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, Ministry of Transport Singapore, Malaysia Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) and all the related agencies.
“I thank them for their support and willingness to work with the Ministry of Transport Sarawak in trying to get and give better air connectivity to business travellers, visitors and tourists into the State,” he said.
Also present was Senior General Manager, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB), Kamaruzaman Razali, Airasia Government Relations Sarawak Hamdan Mohamad, Bukit Assek Assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek and Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting.
