KUCHING, Jan 2 2026: The state government will conduct a comprehensive studies to review and upgrade rural airports as part of the broader efforts to strengthen air connectivity and support the future expansion of regional air services in the state.
Lee Kim Shin: At present aircraft operations at certain rural airports are constrained by short runways, limiting passenger capacity for safety reasons.
Minister for Transport Lee Kim Shin said these include assessing existing rural airstrips that may require improvements, particularly those serving areas not easily accessible by road or other modes of transport.
He said several rural airports fall under federal jurisdiction, and proposals for upgrading, including runway extensions, will be brought up with the federal government to enhance operational capacity and safety.
“One of such projects currently underway is the extension of the runway at Bario Airport, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, allowing it to accommodate twin-engine aircraft more effectively,” he told reporters after witnessing the inaugural flight of state-owned AirBorneo at the Kuching International Airport today.
He explained that at present, aircraft operations at certain rural airports are constrained by short runways, limiting passenger capacity for safety reasons despite aircraft being capable of carrying up to 90 passengers.
He noted that Sarawak’s aviation development is being implemented in phases, with the current focus on strengthening existing rural air services before progressing towards the next phase of becoming a regional airline.
“This next phase will require compliance with additional regulatory requirements, including changes to our air operator’s licence, and will involve detailed studies on aircraft types and operational models,” he said.
He stressed that all decisions will be made professionally based on expert studies, adding that no announcements on aircraft selection or regional jet operations will be made prematurely.
Touching on the inaugural flights earlier in the day, Lee said the Kuching–Mukah flight recorded 54 passengers, while the Kuching–Tanjung Manis flight carried 15 passengers.
He described the figures as an encouraging start for the airline in 2026, particularly for routes that play an important role in connecting coastal and rural communities.
He added that Sarawak has long-term aspirations for the growth of air services in areas such as Mukah, in line with broader development and connectivity goals.
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