MIRI: Sarawak has laid the groundwork for a major reset of its aviation landscape, with 2025 emerging as a pivotal year marked by infrastructure upgrades, expanded regional links and the long-anticipated transition of Rural Air Services from MASwings to the state-owned AirBorneo.
Speaking at the Ministry of Transport Sarawak’s Aviation Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday night, Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the past year had been “defining” for the state’s aviation sector, underscoring Sarawak’s ambition to shape a more responsive, regionally focused and future-ready air connectivity strategy. At the centre of that shift was the signing of the sale and purchase agreement for MASwings in February, clearing the way for AirBorneo Berhad to take over rural air services. The move is seen as a strategic step to give Sarawak greater control over lifeline air routes serving its interior and remote communities. “The aspiration is clear,” Lee said. “To ensure connectivity that is reliable, safe and aligned with Sarawak’s unique geographical and socio-economic needs.”
While the transition is still underway, Lee stressed that regulatory compliance and safety oversight remain non-negotiable. A December meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia focused on certification, licensing and continued adherence to ICAO standards to ensure the handover is seamless and does not disrupt services to rural areas.
Beyond structural reform, 2025 also saw steady progress on aviation infrastructure. The feasibility study for the New Kuching International Airport is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2026, a project positioned as the cornerstone of Sarawak’s long-term ambition to become a regional aviation hub. In northern Sarawak, work is ongoing to extend the Limbang airport runway from 1,500 to 1,790 metres, enabling the airport to handle private jets and improving operational flexibility by 2027.
Meanwhile, Phase One of the New Lawas Airport project began in October, reinforcing the government’s focus on accessibility and inclusive development. Rural connectivity remains a priority. Upgrading works at the Bario STOLport, including runway extensions to maximise Twin Otter passenger and cargo capacity, are aimed at improving safety and reliability for communities where air travel is not a convenience but a necessity. Sarawak also made notable gains on the connectivity front.
New routes launched in 2025 included Batik Air’s Kuala Lumpur–Miri service and AirAsia’s inaugural Pontianak-Kuching flight, strengthening both domestic and cross-border links with Kalimantan. The state is now eyeing further expansion, with charter flights from Haikou by China’s 9 Air and services from Shenzhen by Loong Air expected to follow. International engagement featured prominently in the ministry’s agenda. Visits to Airbus in Toulouse, Abu Dhabi’s airport terminal and the International Civil Aviation Forum in Shanghai exposed Sarawak to global best practices in innovation, sustainability and aircraft technology. Regional cooperation was further advanced through engagements in Indonesia, including discussions linked to BIMP-EAGA on aligning aviation planning, safety oversight and sustainable growth.
Safety remained a recurring theme throughout the year, with joint search and rescue exercises, aviation safety seminars and outreach programmes held across Sarawak in collaboration with regulators and industry players. Looking ahead to 2026, Lee outlined five clear priorities: aviation safety, infrastructure development, connectivity expansion, talent development and innovation anchored in sustainability. Together, these pillars are expected to guide policy, investment and partnerships as Sarawak navigates an increasingly complex aviation landscape.
He paid tribute to MASwings for its role since 2007 in serving Sarawak’s interior, often under demanding conditions, describing its contribution as one of public service and commitment to ensuring no community is left behind. That legacy, Lee said, would now be carried forward by AirBorneo, envisioned not only as a rural air services operator but as a regional airline capable of strengthening Sarawak’s links within Borneo and beyond. As Sarawak charts its next chapter in aviation, the message from the ministry was unambiguous: the runway has been laid, the direction is set, and the state intends to fly on its own strategic terms.
