KOTA KINABALU – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has welcomed the call for the establishment of a regional airline involving Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, describing its prospects as good and cost-effective.
He said he would support the move if it can be realised while pointing out that it is part of Sarawak’s broader plans to have its own boutique airline.
“If it can be realised, I will support it. But Sarawak, as announced by the Sarawak premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg), has already applied for a licence for a boutique aircraft.
“This is aimed to allow Sarawakians to commute between the peninsula and Sarawak. If this plan could be shared (between Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei), it could be good and cost-effective.
“But Sarawak has its own formula. (The boutique airline) is aimed to allow Sarawak to be cost-effective when travelling. It is not (for the airline) to make profit, but (is geared) towards corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Abang Johari has announced that Sarawak’s boutique airline is expected to commence within the next three years following the federal government’s greenlight.
Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has recently proposed cooperation between Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei in the aviation industry in view of the expensive airfare charged by airlines during the festive period.
The Sabah opposition leader said he had discussed such a plan with the sultan of Brunei, as well as with Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd (Sarawak), Royal Brunei Airlines (Brunei), and SabahAir (Sabah) when he was Sabah chief minister previously.
Recently, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan had said that it is time to set up a civil aviation authority in Sabah and Sarawak to address issues such as pricey airfare and flight delays. He suggested that it be named the Borneo Civil Aviation Authority. – The Vibes, May 15, 2023
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