By Natasha Jee & Gabriel Lihan
KUCHING: The operation of Sarawak’s own airline is awaiting licence approval from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and is expected to ‘take-off’ within the next three months.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said earlier, a study on running the airline company has been conducted and results showed that it can be carried out.
“Now, we are just waiting for the approval from MOT for the licence (to operate),” he said in a press conference after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Kampung Telaga Air here today.
Abang Johari also said that it will be a boutique airline, being a commercial wing under the Hornbill Skyways.
“With the airline, it will allow us to bring in more tourist. So the operation is more or less finalised and we are just waiting for the licence,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari said the state will set up its own airline company which will fly tourists into the state.
“God willing, in three months’ time, we will be able to bring in tourists to Sarawak,” he said.
Apart from this, he said the state has also approved the Bebuling Short Take-off and Landing Airport (Bebuling STOLport) project in Betong, of which is already under construction.
“The state government will also build the new Lawas Airport despite the project being cancelled by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government before this.
“I dare to say all of this because we have the funding, and with the revenue received, it will go back to the people in terms of development,” said Abang Johari.
