KUCHING: The proposed Sarawak-owned boutique airline will run under its own unique model aimed at facilitating tourist arrivals to the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the airline would not be profit-motivated so long as the airline breaks even.
“As the airline is owned by Sarawak, we will have our own model to set it up without following airlines like Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia.
“These airlines are profit-based, but not for Sarawak’s boutique airline. Our aim is to facilitate tourists to fly in to Sarawak,” he said during the Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Kuching branch charity dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on yesterday (Nov 27).
Abang Johari said the airline would fly those from countries such as Hong Kong, Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, Japan and India.
“Of course, there are people who question why the need for an airline? For me, it is one of the infrastructures which we must have. It is just like building roads.
“For building roads, you don’t talk about the intangible returns that you will get from road construction because it provides connectivity. So, the same goes for the airline.
“So, our model in setting up the airline is economy-based and it is slightly different from others,” he said.
On Nov 13, the premier said the state’s own airline is awaiting licensing approval from the Ministry of Transport and is expected to operate within the next three months.
He said the boutique airline, being a commercial wing, will be operating under Hornbill Skyways.
“With the airline, it will allow us to bring in more tourists. So the operation is more or less finalised and we are just waiting for the licence,” he said.
