KUCHING: Sarawak has proposed to establish its own boutique airline to ensure airfares remain affordable and reasonable.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposal was not aimed at competing with other major airline companies in the country but to stabilise the airfares to Sarawak.
“We have a lot to offer when it comes to tourism attractions and products. But our main problem is still our air connectivity.
“We are located on Borneo island; thus, there are not many options besides taking a flight,” he said at the official opening of Raia Hotel and Convention Centre Kuching here yesterday
“Can you imagine the airfares from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching are almost the same as those from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong?” he said.
Thus, Abang Johari hoped Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was present at the event, would approve and issue a licence for the boutique airline.
Describing it as a small company, he added that it would operate under the Hornbill Skyways platform.
The state-owned airline would not be profit-oriented but aimed to boost air connectivity by offering more affordable airfares, to attract more tourists and investors to Sarawak.
Among those present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and UJ Property Management Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Othman Semail.
