KUCHING: A visiting International Air Transport Association (IATA) delegation raised the prospects of Sarawak expanding international air links in high-growth markets.
In this instance they singled out South Korea, where Sarawak is attracting increased investment interest.
During a courtesy call to Sarawak’s Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin on Monday the consulting team shared insights on the recovery trajectory of international and domestic air traffic.
The conversation also highlighted the influence of regional travel dynamics, with countries like Indonesia, Singapore, China, and Thailand forming significant market shares for Malaysia.
Korea was identified as a particularly strong market for East Malaysia, driven by the rising popularity of Sabah as a favoured destination for South Korean tourists.
IATA representatives Senior Principal and Head of Asia, Lian Zhang, and Area Manager for Southeast Asia APAC Field Offices, Yuli Thompson focused on aviation recovery and strategic growth in East Malaysia as the region continues to rebound from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
They presented a range of their advisory services aimed at supporting strategic growth, operational enhancement, and infrastructure development for airlines and airports alike.
They also referenced their recent involvement in major projects, such as the development of Sydney’s new airport, showcasing IATA’s capabilities in capacity assessments, terminal planning, and traffic forecasting.
In addition, IATA’s expertise in airline advisory services, including network and fleet strategy, new route planning, and operational efficiency, was mentioned as being particularly beneficial to Sarawak.
Lee expressed appreciation for IATA’s ongoing contributions to the global aviation industry and shared his interest in collaborating with IATA’s consulting team to advance Sarawak’s air connectivity and operational efficiency.
“We look forward to working closely with IATA in areas such as airport development, new airline operations, and sustainable growth initiatives to elevate Sarawak’s position in the regional and international aviation network,” he said.
