AirBorneo signs agreement with manufacturer ATR to buy eight aircraft to be delivered between 2027 and 2029

SINGAPORE, Feb 5 2026:– AirBorneo today signed an agreement with manufacturer ATR to acquire eight aircraft, comprising ATR 72-600s and three ART42-600s, to be delivered between 2027 and 2029.

Caption: AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin (second right)  and ATR chief executive officer Nathalie Tarnaud Laude exxchanging documents after the signing of the agreement. 

The agreement also allows AirBorneo the purchase rights for four additional aircraft.

The airline currently operates eight ATR 72-500 aircraft inherited from MASwings.

The new-generation ATR –600 series will form the backbone of a safer, more efficient and more resilient Rural Air Services (RAS) operation for Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

The introduction of the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 aircraft will enable AirBorneo to enhance passenger experience, operational reliability and service capability.

The aircraft feature advanced avionics, modern navigation technologies and improved cabin comfort. They are also equipped to support medical stretcher operations and are optimised for reliable operations across diverse regional and rural route environments in Borneo.

The mixed fleet gives AirBorneo greater flexibility to right-size capacity across diverse route profiles, while benefitting  from the strong commonality of the ATR family.

“This partnership with ATR marks a major milestone in AirBorneo’s commitment to delivering reliable, safe and modern air services for the communities we serve,” said Megat Ardian, chief executive officer of AirBorneo.

“Our new ATR –600 fleet will significantly strengthen the Rural Air Services network by offering improved comfort, greater efficiency and the operational capability needed for regional connectivity in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

“The ATR platform has consistently proven to be the most suitable planes for our operating environment and upgrading to the latest –600 series ensures we can continue providing essential connectivity while preparing AirBorneo for long-term growth.”

“AirBorneo’s decision to invest in both the ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 reflects the strength and versatility of the ATR family and its suitability for demanding regional operations,” said Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, chief executive officer of ATR.

“The ATR 42-600, with its exceptional efficiency and low operating costs, is ideally suited for serving lower-density regional routes, while the ATR 72-600 provides additional capacity where it is needed.

“We are proud to partner with AirBorneo in strengthening reliable air connectivity across Borneo and the wider region.”

Witnessing the signing of the agreement were AirBorneo chairman Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Madam Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, the CEO of ATR.

Also present during the signing ceremony were Board of Directors of AirBorneo comprising of Wan Lizozman Wan Omar,  Saferi Ali, Abdullah Zaidell, Hasmawati Sapawi and management team.

 

 

PBK president questions state government's willingness to pay RM1.8 billion for the take-over of Bintulu Port from the federal government

KUCHING, Feb 5 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan today questioned the willingness of the state government accepting to pay RM1.8 billion for the acquisition of Bintulu Port from the federal government.

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan (centre) with other PBK leaders, asking why Sarawak needs to pay RM1.8 billion for the take-over of Bintulu Port - Facebook/Voon Lee Shan.

He wanted a transparent disclosure by the Sarawak GPS government on why it agreed to the payment without public consultation.

He called for an independent assessment body to be appointed to determine on how much the federal government has already earned from Bintulu Port over the decades.  

He claimed that the federal government had made lots or money from Bintulu Port -which could be in trillions of ringgits since the Port was taken over by the federal authority. 

He said for decades, Bintulu’s land, resources, and strategic location were used by the federal government to generate enormous revenue, without fair compensation to Sarawak.

He added that he has found no publicly disclosed record that the federal government paid any compensation to Sarawak at the time Bintulu was declared a federal port.

He also said that he has found no credible sources to show a payment been made to Sarawak related to that historical change.

“In other words, historically, there is no known cash compensation paid to the state by the federal government for the historical federal status of Bintulu Port,” he said. 

He said he could not trace any record that the declaration of Bintulu Port as a federal port by the federal government was made with the mandatory consultation of the Sarawak government or the Sarawak legislative assembly (SLA) at that time, as required under the Federal Constitution (specifically Article 76(1)(c)).

Voon claimed that Parliament passed the Bintulu Port Authority Act 19778  against the will of the Sarawak government and the Sarawak people.

“The federal government, controlled by Malaya, had capitalized on their strength in the federal parliament and also capitalised on the weak leadership and naivety, experience and lack of political knowledge of our people at that time, to pass the Act,” he said.

The Act in 1978 declared an area in Bintulu District to be a federal port. This Act is known as the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 established the Bintulu Port Authority (BPA) under the Ministry of Transport. This made the port a federal facility.

Yesterday, federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced in Parliament that the Sarawak government had agreed to pay RM1.8 billion for the acquisition of Bintulu Port from the federal government.