This photo I took at the airport—of a MASwings aircraft waiting quietly on the tarmac—might soon be a collector’s item.
Why? Because change is coming. And not just any change, but one that could finally reshape how we travel within Sarawak. A new chapter in Sarawak’s aviation story is about to begin, and it’s one that could bring us closer together than ever before.
As many of you might have heard, the Sarawak government is officially taking over MASwings. And that’s not just a business move—it’s a bold step toward reclaiming our skies. The dream of a Sarawak-owned airline that actually puts Sarawakians first is becoming reality. For those of us who frequently hop between Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, and rural interiors—or those who’ve faced unpredictable flights or lack of routes—this is the kind of news that makes you stop, smile, and quietly say, “finally.”
Let’s face it. We’ve always been a little under-served when it comes to flights in and around Sarawak. The routes are limited. The schedules don’t always make sense. And for many years, we’ve been reliant on decisions made in KL—decisions that don’t always reflect what people here on the ground need. But with this takeover, we get to dream differently.
This move is also a big win for domestic tourism in Sarawak. With better air connectivity, we can finally open up more of Sarawak to the world—and to ourselves. Think about it: from hidden gems in Ba’kelalan to eco-retreats in Batang Ai, from culinary escapes in Sibu to cultural experiences in Kapit and Serian—imagine a network that connects it all seamlessly. That’s not just good for tourism—it’s good for business, for families, for rural development.
Even more exciting? The official announcement of AirBorneo—a new airline entity that will be wholly owned by the Sarawak government under Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd. This isn’t just a symbolic name. AirBorneo represents a fresh vision, rooted in our land, our needs, and our people. The plan is for the airline to start with turboprop operations—much like MASwings—with a focus on connecting rural and regional destinations across Sarawak and Sabah. But that’s just the start.
AirBorneo is set to be homegrown and community-focused, designed not just to serve the market but to serve the people. The airline will build up Sarawak’s own aviation capacity—training local pilots, engineers, and ground crew—while expanding a network that’s truly meaningful to locals. Imagine not having to fly to KL or Penang just to reach another corner of Sarawak. Imagine flying from Kuching to Kapit, or from Bintulu to Limbang, with ease.
And for those of us hoping Sarawak would one day be seen as more than a “domestic” destination—this is our moment. With control over routes, branding, and long-term planning, the vision is that AirBorneo can even tap into short-haul international flights in the future—connecting us to Kalimantan, Singapore, Brunei, and beyond.
There’s something deeply symbolic about this. We’re not just launching a new airline—we’re taking back ownership of how we move, how we connect, and how we welcome the world. This is about Sarawak setting our own direction, meeting our own needs, and building an aviation system that reflects our identity.
Of course, it won’t be perfect overnight. There will be teething issues, growing pains, and plenty of behind-the-scenes work to be done. But for the first time in a long time, the skies above Sarawak are filled with possibility.
I stood at the airport that day looking at that MASwings plane with mixed feelings—nostalgia, excitement, a little bit of nervous hope. But above all, pride. Because we’re moving forward. Because we’re finally steering our own future. Because one day soon, that plane in the photo might be replaced with a sleek new AirBorneo aircraft—painted in the colours of our land, flown by our own people, taking off toward a future we’re finally building ourselves.
So yes, this photo might one day be a piece of history. A reminder of the time before Sarawak had its own wings.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see how far we’ll fly.
