SERIAN: The move to set up the state’s own boutique airline is currently in its planning phase said Deputy Minister for Transport (Air and Roads) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
“Our boutique airline is still in planning. However, by having our own airline, our charter flights will be able to fly in and out of the country, and comes directly from and back to Sarawak.
“So now, we are still looking in terms of the companies that will be involved and also acquiring aircrafts to fly,” said the deputy minister.
He said this when speaking to reporters after officiating at the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) Tour in Siburan District at Siburan community hall today.
The Mambong assemblyman also said this will help to increase the number of visitors to Sarawak as the state provides a complete tourism package and has vast products in the sector.
In addition, he said with Indonesia moving its capital city, Nusantara, in the Borneo Island, the demand for flights within the island will be increased.
“It is very important to have our own boutique airline. Now, what we need is a platform to start off our own airline in terms of personnel, professionals, the types of aircrafts use and others.
“Most likely we will use Hornbill Skyways as our platform, but we still looking into who will be operating the airline.
“For aircrafts, we will be leasing it from providers. Again, we are still in the planning phase,” said Dr Jerip.
When asked if there is a timeline for the airline project, he replied that there is none, adding that priority is to increase the visitors.
“There is too much limitation if we depend on using conventional airlines,” Dr Jerip added.
