[image: 1784196307107-airborneo-kia.jpg] AirBorneo Airways' Boeing 737-800 has arrived at Kuching International Airport ahead of its first Kuching-Kuala Lumpur service. The aircraft arrived on Wednesday, July 15, with commercial operations under the AirBorneo brand scheduled to begin on July 20. Why it matters The Kuching-Kuala Lumpur-Kuching route will be the airline's first service under the new brand after the Sarawak government's acquisition and rebranding of MASwings. Photos of the aircraft in AirBorneo livery have been circulating on social media. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian also shared the aircraft's arrival on Facebook, calling it a milestone for Sarawak's state-owned airline. Flight details AirBorneo said the route will operate twice daily between Kuching International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1. The airline earlier announced promotional one-way fares from RM375 all-in for Economy Class and RM736 all-in for Business Class, inclusive of airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Dr Sim also linked the airline's growth to Sarawak's wider air connectivity plans, including the proposed new Kuching International Airport at Tanjung Embang, expected to be completed after 2030. Location: Kuching International Airport (KIA) Details: Boeing 737-800 arrived before July 20 Kuching-KL launch; route planned twice daily Image: The Borneo Post / Facebook Dr Sim Kui Hian Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Sarawak and Indonesia discussed stronger air links to Jakarta, Balikpapan and Pontianak, together with better road connectivity through border checkpoints. [image: 1784023513243-sarawak-indonesia-airlinks.jpg] Photo: Ministry of Transport Sarawak via DayakDaily The discussion took place during a courtesy visit by Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli to Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. Both sides said growing movement between Sarawak and Kalimantan makes easier transport links increasingly important for tourism, trade, investment and family travel. Discussion is not the same as a confirmed route Jakarta, Balikpapan and Pontianak were named as existing or potential connections under discussion. The July 14 statement did not announce an airline, flight frequency, launch date or fare for any new service. That distinction matters. A route only becomes useful to travellers after an airline receives the necessary approvals and publishes a bookable schedule. Until then, residents should not plan a trip around an unconfirmed service. Land links were also part of the meeting. The two sides discussed Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security checkpoints along the Sarawak–Kalimantan border as cross-border movement and economic activity increase. For Kuching travellers, the next facts worth watching are which airline applies for the route, whether it will be direct, how often it will fly and whether timings allow useful onward connections. Official updates should come from the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, the airline concerned and airport or aviation authorities. Status on July 14: Connectivity options discussed; no new launch date announced Sources: DayakDaily · Ministry of Transport Sarawak

The Kuching-Sibu drive could become much shorter once Sarawak's coastal road network is fully completed. [image: 1783591436761-road.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / UKAS What changes Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said eight road projects under the Sarawak Second Trunk Road and Coastal Road Network will cut the Kuching-Sibu distance by 144km. When the full network is ready, motorists would travel about 252km between Kuching and Sibu, compared with 396km via the Pan Borneo Highway. The projects cover major links through Samarahan, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Lingga, Sri Aman, Betong and Roban, with a combined investment of RM3.21 billion. Location: Kuching-Sibu coastal corridor, covering Samarahan, Betong and Sri Aman divisions Details: Several packages have target completion dates between September 2026 and 2030. Batang Lupar 1 Bridge is one key part of the wider network. Uggah said the route is expected to improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs and open more economic opportunities for communities along the coastal corridor. Source: DayakDaily For people who often travel Kuching-Sibu, this one really matters. What do you think?

[image: 1783559031764-airborneo-fare-resized.jpg] AirBorneo says its RM375 Kuching-Kuala Lumpur fare is all-in, after some travellers said the price still feels high. AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin said the fare was set after comparing the lowest average fares offered on the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching route over the past six months, plus last year's average lowest fares. He said the RM375 price includes airport tax, 23kg checked baggage, 10kg cabin baggage, meals and seat selection. What passengers get The airline said some cheaper-looking fares from other carriers may only show the base fare first, before add-ons such as baggage or meals. Megat Ardian said AirBorneo wants to help keep fares between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia more stable, because high ticket prices were one of the biggest public concerns before the airline launched. The fare is available for travel until March 27, 2027. AirBorneo will watch booking demand and competitor pricing before deciding how long to keep it. Rural flights also being reviewed AirBorneo is also working on reliability for its Rural Air Services network after recent disruptions. The airline currently uses 14 turboprop aircraft for RAS flights: eight ATR 72-500s and six Twin Otters. It carries about 60,000 to 70,000 passengers a month on the network. Megat Ardian said lower-demand rural routes may be consolidated to give aircraft more maintenance time, but he said this does not mean routes will be closed. Location: Kuching / Sarawak air routes Details: RM375 all-in Kuching-Kuala Lumpur fare; RAS schedule review expected after talks with the Ministry of Transport Malaysia Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/07/08/airborneo-defends-rm375-kuching-kl-promo-fare-following-public-feedback/ What do you think?

[image: 1783472671494-sejingkat-bridge.jpg] Sejingkat Bridge is now 94% complete and could open earlier than planned this October. The 1.2km bridge is being positioned as a major new link for Kuching and Sarawak's Second Trunk Road network. Sarawak Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo said the project is about one per cent ahead of schedule. The original completion date was October 22, but the remaining works are now mainly focused on road approaches at Sejingkat and Tanjung Bako. Why it matters Once completed, the bridge is expected to handle about 15,000 vehicles a day. It will connect Sejingkat, Kuching to the wider Second Trunk Road network, giving travellers from coastal and interior areas a stronger route into Kuching. The project is also tied to future plans around Tanjung Embang, including the proposed new Kuching airport and deep-sea port. Location: Sejingkat, Kuching / Tanjung Bako Details: 1.2km bridge, 94% complete, early October 2026 target, estimated 15,000 vehicles daily Source: https://dayakdaily.com/sejingkat-bridge-nears-completion-at-94-pct-expected-to-open-ahead-of-schedule-this-oct/ What do you think?

Sarawak's vast geography and heavy reliance on diesel transport make the federal government's 200-litre monthly subsidy cap unworkable, says social activist Voon Shiak Ni. Speaking on Friday (June 27), Voon said the Budi Madani Diesel programme — which offers subsidised diesel at RM2.10 per litre up to 200 litres per month — fails to account for Sarawak's unique circumstances as an oil-producing state with enormous logistical challenges. "A one-size-fits-all approach may not reflect the realities of different regions. Sarawak's contribution as an oil-producing state and its unique logistical challenges should be considered," she said. [image: 1782522151104-diesel-subsidy.jpg] Lorry drivers and transport operators would be the hardest hit. One lorry driver told Voon he uses over 2,000 litres of diesel a month just transporting stones from Paku, Bau to Jalan Stephen Yong — ten times the proposed cap. Location: Sarawak Details: Budi Madani Diesel subsidy cap at 200 litres/month — activist calls it unsuitable for Sarawak's geography and logistics needs Source: Borneo Post Online What do you think?