‘We (Sarawak) are in the Borneo Island, if people want to come here, they need to take a flight because they cannot use any other mode of transport, but the airfare is expensive.’
– Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Of all the visionary and transformative policies and initiatives that the state government is undertaking, the one that I am most excited about is the idea of Sarawak having its own airline.
I believe this is something that Sarawakians can agree on as it will provide numerous benefits and conveniences to us.
It is an open secret that airfares can be expensive, especially during festive seasons, for Sarawakians and Sabahans living in Peninsular Malaysia to travel back home.
I remember a few years back, there was a viral news on the social media about flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching costing almost as much as the tickets from Kuala Lumpur to London during the Hari Raya season.
To me, this was insane and ridiculous because how could the flight tickets to travel within Malaysia be more expensive than tickets to travel overseas?
Not everyone can afford to splurge on expensive flight tickets.
In fact, last minute flights are equally expensive and I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for those who must urgently travel back home for emergency reasons.
Moreover, I cannot wait to be able to travel overseas without needing to have a layover in Kuala Lumpur.
One of the key reasons why the state government wants to establish its own airline is to facilitate travellers in such scenarios and circumstances.
This is a noble cause considering there are a number of Sarawakians who are working outside the state and who will love to return home during festive seasons or regularly.
Of course, this will also facilitate tourists who are eager to come to Sarawak and discover the state’s bountiful tourism gems as well as the business community who is interested in investing in the state.
I also hope to see the Rural Air Services (RAS) improved and further expanded to other parts of the state.
With negotiations well underway and going positively for the acquisition of MASwings, there are a couple things that I am curious about.
First, can the Kuching International Airport accommodate the upcoming increase in aircraft and number of tourists?
I remember asking Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah this question during the launching of Kuching Umrah Getaway earlier this year.
He mentioned that the Kuching Umrah Getaway would eventually offer direct flights from Kuching to Jeddah and Madinah subject to approval by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“If there is an increase of aircraft and tourists due to active and aggressive tourism promotions, of course, the state government and federal government will have to embark on expansion plans.
“It is a chicken and egg situation because if we were to expand the airport but there are not many aircraft or tourists coming in, it will be an issue with the opposition.
“When the time comes, we will surely embark on the plan for expansion of the airport,” he answered in response to my question.
I foresee that the main hub for Sarawak’s own boutique airline will be based in Kuching, the capital city.
The Kuching International Airport has a single takeoff and landing runway while the terminal consists of 12 aerobridge aircraft parking bays in which four bays are for wide-body aircraft.
Based on my experience of being in Heathrow Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, and Dubai International Airport to name a few, I believe there is a need for the Kuching International Airport to be relocated somewhere with more space.
Perhaps, a new airport could be built to cater for international flights while the present airport is for domestic flights.
Like how Kuala Lumpur International Airport has two terminals in which Terminal 1 caters for Malaysia Airlines and other big airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines while Terminal 2 for low-cost carriers.
Presently, the Kuching International Airport is situated among housing and commercial centres so expansion at its current location seems very unlikely.
Secondly, I am quite intrigued about what the boutique airline will be named.
It is commonly referred to as ‘Sarawak Airline’ by the media, but Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had said the naming part would come afterwards.
I personally like ‘Sarawak Airline’, it pays homage to our great state.
Maybe I am not a very creative or ‘think outside of the box’ kind of person, but I like the idea of how people will connect it to the state of Sarawak.
After all, no other state in the nation is as ambitious nor forward like us.
This is something that I am very proud of and cannot wait to witness it becoming a reality.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
