KUCHING: Sarawak is waiting for a licence to be issued by the transport ministry so that its new boutique airline can start operations soon.
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the operational aspects of the airline had been finalised for international tourists to be flown directly to the state, bypassing Kuala Lumpur.
“We have done a study and found that a boutique airline can be established.
“Now, we are just waiting for a decision from the transport ministry to issue a licence,” he said after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme here today.
Abang Johari said the company would operate under the Hornbill Skyways platform and would be able to boost air connectivity to bring in tourists directly to the Land of Hornbills.
Meanwhile, tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri said the establishment of the airline would benefit Sarawakians as they can return to their hometowns after paying reasonable airfares.
Nancy, who is also the GPS candidate for the Santubong parliamentary seat in the coming general election (GE15), said many foreign tourists wanted to travel to the state, but the limited flights were one of the inhibiting factors.
“Hopefully, by having our own airline, it will have the potential to increase the number of tourists to Sarawak,” she said.
On another matter, Abang Johari said although former Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is law minister, is not contesting in GE15, his services and experience were still needed to support state efforts to boost the economy.
