KUCHING, May 21 : The full acquisition of MASWings Sdn Bhd (MASWings) by AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd (AirBorneo), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sarawak Government, is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025.
According to the Deputy Minister for Transport I, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, the transfer will proceed once the legal and beneficial ownership of MASWings is fully vested in AirBorneo. “After the execution of the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) between AirBorneo and the Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG) in February 2025, the completion of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of conditions precedent,” said Dr Jerip during the question-and-answer (Q&A) session of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Currently operating under the MASWings name and set to be rebranded as AirBorneo, the Sarawak-owned airline will continue operations under the existing Air Service Licence (ASL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) held by MASWings.
During the transition period between February and December 2025, Dr Jerip explained that MAG and AirBorneo will be working together to meet all conditions, including obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and preparing for the operational handover from MAG to AirBorneo.
Both parties are required to secure clearances from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Regarding Rural Air Services (RAS), Dr Jerip assured that the current schedule, frequency, and network will be maintained even after the change in ownership.
In response to a supplementary question from Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Dr Jerip noted that the existing interim RAS agreement between the federal government and MASWings is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
“In this regard, my Ministry, together with AirBorneo, is engaging with the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, relevant federal agencies and other key stakeholders to work out the terms and conditions of a new RAS agreement,” he said.
By Marlynbda Meraw (Credit : DayakDaily)
