PETALING JAYA: Sarawak-owned carrier AirBorneo is set to be operational in 12 months’ time, says state transport minister Lee Kim Shin.
Lee said the state government is fine-tuning the regulatory requirements for AirBorneo’s establishment, it has been reported.
He said it is a complex process that involves multiple international approvals and compliance with aviation regulations.
“There is much work to be done from regulatory requirements to name changes, international requirements and branding,” he told a press conference after chairing the first 2025 meeting of the Sarawak public transport committee’s aviation subcommittee today.
He said AirBorneo requires approvals from global aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Air Transport Association.
“Aspects such as the airline’s passenger system, code name and logo are being worked on,” he said, adding that the stakeholders would convene a meeting to discuss these matters.
Lee also said the Sarawak Forestry Corporation has been informed about a bird strike that occurred in Limbang, Mulu and Miri.
He said the corporation has been asked to immediately carry out studies on migratory birds and their travel patterns to ensure they will not affect air traffic.
On the Sarawak government-funded upgrading projects at the Bario and Limbang airports, Lee said Bario airport’s runway extension is about 26% towards completion, 1% ahead of schedule.
“This runway is being extended by another 265m. After the extension, the total runway length will be 930m,” he said.
He said a tender will be called soon for work at Limbang airport, which will also involve a runway extension, as well as resurfacing work and the addition of lights to the runway.
He also said the location for the new Lawas airport has been identified, with the tender set to be called by June.
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