State Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the agreement was reached following the ministry’s latest engagement with the airline.

He said the ministry would continue working with airlines to monitor passenger demand and explore opportunities to improve air services to Sibu.

“The Sarawak government through my ministry has been actively engaging with airlines to address the connectivity needs of Sibu, including efforts to resume services on previously suspended routes,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.

Dr Jerip was responding to Joseph Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek), who asked about efforts to improve air connectivity between Sibu and Kota Kinabalu following the suspension of the route.

On AirBorneo’s proposed direct connections from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Dr Jerip said the routes were still being assessed as part of the airline’s network planning.

He said AirBorneo planned to operate commercial routes within Sarawak in 2027, subject to the availability of suitable aircraft, air traffic rights, regulatory approvals, airport support, crew requirements, maintenance arrangements and commercial viability.

“Further updates will be provided once network planning, approvals and operational readiness have been finalised,” he said.

The proposed connections are intended to improve public mobility and support economic development in central Sarawak.

On existing services, Dr Jerip said AirAsia was currently the sole operator on the Sibu-Kuching route, with four flights daily.

The Sibu-Kuala Lumpur route was served by three airlines with a combined six flights daily, comprising three by AirAsia, two by Malaysia Airlines and one by Batik Air.

He said the ministry would continue monitoring passenger demand and engaging airlines to ensure adequate capacity on both routes.

However, any restoration or changes to flight frequencies would depend on the necessary regulatory approvals and airlines’ scheduling decisions.

Chieng had also sought clarification on when flight frequencies could return to their previous schedules.

Credits: Jude Toyat, The Borneo Post 2026