AirBorneo grows flight network to support Sarawak’s tourism growth

AirBorneo, the airline owned by the Sarawak state government, has outlined an expansion plan for its Asian service network to support Sarawak’s tourism ambitions. The ministry aims to make Sarawak the tourism gateway to Borneo island. Key routes include Indonesia’s Jakarta, Thailand’s Bangkok, and South Korea’s Jeju. AirBorneo launched its first international service between Kuching and Singapore on July 22, with plans to expand to Kuching-Jeju, given Kuching’s upcoming UNESCO Global Geopark designation in 2027, similar to Jeju’s designation since 2015. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts, highlighted South Korea as a key tourism market, driven by golf and education. Speaking at the PATA Travel Mart 2026 Knowledge Forum, Morshidi Fredrick, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the importance of air and land connectivity for tourism growth. Sarawak’s Pan Borneo Highway, a joint project with Malaysia, facilitates road travel across major towns like Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, enabling access to Brunei as well.