AirBorneo setbacks temporary, says Abang Jo

Abang Johari said AirBorneo aims to strengthen Sarawak’s role in the Asean economy while improving businesses’ access to regional markets.

He said the state government was proactively developing its own model for the airline’s operations to ensure it can effectively support business and economic growth.

While there may be challenges during the ongoing transition following the state government’s takeover of MASwings, the airline remains a strategic investment, Abang Johari said..

“We are still transitioning from our takeover of MASwings. There are some minor problems along the way. But they will surely be resolved.

“We need to have our own model for running this airline,” Dayak Daily reported him as saying in Kuching today.

Earlier this month, AirBorneo was affected by flight delays and cancellations across Sarawak and Sabah, caused by several aircraft becoming unavailable simultaneously due to scheduled maintenance and delays in the delivery of key replacement components.

AirBorneo CEO Megat Ardian Wira Aminuddin said the airline was focused on restoring reliable service and ensuring its aircraft met safety and airworthiness standards.

Megat said AirBorneo had also implemented additional measures to strengthen fleet resilience and support the gradual restoration of normal services.

Federation of the Sri Aman and Betong Divisions Chinese Association president Ngu Piew Seng then criticised the airline, calling the acquisition of MASwings and its rebranding as AirBorneo a “completely misguided and mistaken decision”.

Ngu argued that instead of taking over MASwings, which he said was already burdened by long-standing operational issues and an ageing fleet, the state government should have established a new airline and gradually built a modern fleet through aircraft purchases or leasing arrangements.

Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah defended the airline, saying it should be given time to develop instead of being subjected to repeated criticisms.