AirBorneo is starting. Where is it flying first and are there foreign destinations soon?

AirBorneo is starting. Where is it flying first and are there foreign destinations soon?

Getting to know this latest and youngest airline belonging to Malaysia

AirBorneo is starting soon. Yes, Sarawak government owned airline. The owner of any airline, even if they are well run must have a deep pocket in the beginning because it can only be profitable once flights are full and the fixed costs are fully covered. In the beginning, flights may not be full and even if flights are full, there may not be enough flight numbers. Flights would have to continue to increase because the infrastructure would need continuous maintenance, upgrade and perhaps even an expansion.

All these are money, money and money. At the same time, as this airline is growing, continuous maintenance is needed until the day when flights and passenger numbers are sufficient to start giving the airline the profit it needs to expand further too. So, it’s not an easy route at all but I am anticipating AirBorneo to show good results in maybe 2-3 years’ time. When I take them for the first time, I will definitely write an article too.

Flights are starting on 14th January 2026. Kuching International Airport is the 4th busiest airport in Malaysia when it could have easily be challenging for the second busiest after KLIA against the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Penang International Airport. Read on for the details:

Article in themalaysianreserve.com Sarawak-Owned airline AirBorneo has opened ticket sales following the launch of its official website on Dec 10, with flights scheduled to commence on Jan 14, 2026. Beyond domestic services, AirBorneo’s launch aligns with broader Sarawak government plans to expand the airline’s role regionally.

According to the Borneo Post, AirBorneo is planning to introduce direct flights between Sarawak and Singapore, a move expected to boost tourism and regional mobility.

Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has also said the airline is targeting the introduction of jet operations by July 2026, signalling a shift beyond turboprop aircraft as the network expands.

Two international destinations he mentioned, as quoted by The Borneo Post on Dec 6, were Singapore and Jeju Island in South Korea. Article in themalaysianreserve.com

I am a Malaysian. I fly Malaysian airlines first. Period.

Sometimes, I do wonder why some Malaysians are so “OBJECTIVE”. They would say this airline is better than Malaysia Airlines. They would say Air Asia is so bad because it’s not on time… Then they take all the so-called BETTER airlines. I used to take Air Asia a lot and these days more MAS or Firefly but both are fine. Their service is fine. Even my wife would agree that most of our Air Asia flights are on time while the worst flight delay I ever encountered thus far was with that profitable airline everyone says is so goooooood. Starting with S lah. Haha.

By the way, say whatever you want yeah. I am just like people from other countries around us who will always support their own airline. Even if their own airlines are operating planes which are not as comfortable as Malaysia Airlines. Even if their airlines are slightly higher priced than Malaysia Airlines. Even if it’s clear their own country’s airlines are definitely not as good in terms of overall service, they would still support their own airline first because that’s their own airline!

I will support all our own airlines. As long as they offer the routes I want. Even if they are slightly more expensive. If way too expensive, then no choice lah. I am not yet a super wealthy Malaysian. 🙂 Below is the treat I love the most from Malaysia Airlines when the flight is a longer route. Yes, I am also an Enrich Gold member too. Just reached this status recently.

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