KUCHING: Sarawak’s Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, has called for a significant increase in flights to and within the state following Malaysia Airlines Group’s recent announcement of substantial flight reductions.
Lee revealed that he had personally contacted Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim, the executive chairman of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), to discuss the urgent need for more flights from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak and within the state.
“Following MAG’s notification of flight cuts, I reached out to Saripuddin and received his support for my proposal to allow any airline interested in enhancing their services to Sarawak,” Lee said in a statement today (Sept 27).
Saripuddin has since endorsed the proposal, encouraging airlines to increase flights on Sarawak routes to compensate for MAG’s reduced services.
Lee also met with Batik Air on Thursday to urge them to increase flight frequencies to Sarawak, especially during peak travel periods like Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Hari Gawai Dayak.
“These adjustments aim to accommodate the increased passenger volume during festive seasons,” he said.
Highlighting Miri’s importance as a major oil and gas development centre, Lee noted that many Bruneians prefer to fly out of Miri.
He urged Batik Air to establish a direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Miri.
Mohd Fauzi Rejab from Batik Air’s Business Development said that while their current fleet is fully utilised, the airline plans to increase flights to Sarawak routes next year.
Currently, Batik Air operates four daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, and one daily flight between Kuala Lumpur and Sibu.
Starting November 1, 2024, they will launch two daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Bintulu.
Also present in the meeting were Deputy Minister for Transport (Aviation and Road), Datuk Jerip Susil, Permanent Secretary Datuk Wong Hee Sieng, Aviation Technical Advisor Sio Yew Hua, Head of Aviation Division Zulkarnain Rosli, and Batik Air’s Passenger and Cargo Sales General Manager Navarajan Subramaniam.
