Sarawak is preparing for takeoff — literally — with the launch of its very own airline and plans for a brand-new airport, all part of a bold strategy to hit its tourism target of 5 million visitors in 2025.

In a major step toward enhancing regional air connectivity and self-reliance, the state officially acquired MASwings from Malaysia Aviation Group in February 2024. The new state-owned carrier, to be named Air Borneo, is expected to offer more affordable airfares and broaden Sarawak’s reach to international destinations.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said the airline will connect the state with six key countries including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. The airline is set to launch operations in 2026, with more details to be unveiled soon. Currently, MASwings operates a fleet comprising ATR 72-500s and De Havilland Canada 6-400s, with new ATR 72-600s on order.

But the sky’s not the limit — Sarawak is also planning to build a new international airport in Tanjung Embang, near Kuching, to replace the existing Kuching International Airport. The ambitious project is part of a MYR100 billion ($22 billion) investment to position Sarawak as a key aviation and maritime hub by 2032.

At the Routes Asia 2025 event in Perth, Deputy Tourism Minister Sebastian Ting revealed strong tourism momentum, with 4.83 million visitors recorded in 2024 — beating the state’s 4 million target. January 2025 alone welcomed 400,531 visitors, a 13.4% jump from the previous year.

“With positive early numbers and major infrastructure developments in the pipeline, we’re confident Sarawak will surpass its 2025 target,” Ting said.

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