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Transport expert moots Sabah-Sarawak airline collaboration

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Rosli Khan says the Borneo states can also collaborate with existing low-cost airlines to suit their social, economic and tourism needs.

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Free Malaysia Today
Transport analyst Rosli Khan says a collaboration between the two states or with an existing low-cost airline may be more viable given that many flight routes are unprofitable.

PETALING JAYA:
Sabah and Sarawak should join forces to form an airline company instead of setting up their own, a transport consultant has suggested.

Rosli Khan said instead of launching their own airlines, the two Borneo states should explore a collaboration with existing low-cost airlines to suit their respective social, economic and tourism needs.

He said low-cost airlines would support the idea, adding that it was a safer way for the two states to enter the airline business rather than starting from scratch.

“Only a number of popular routes with high demand are worth the investment, while many other routes are actually loss-making.

“Those minor routes under MASwings have been heavily subsidised by Putrajaya to keep the services afloat,” he said.

Last month, the Sarawak government inked a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of MASwings Sdn Bhd, to discuss the airline’s acquisition.

In a statement on Sunday, Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd (SAASB) chairman Kenny Chua also said the state is expected to have its own airline by 2024.

“We need our own airline and our own cargo terminal hub. We have the licensing, the aviation engineers, the pilots and our own airports. Nothing can hold us back anymore,” he said in a report in Daily Express.

Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr said while he supports the idea of Sabah having its own airline, it was important for the state government not to rush into the venture.

Pointing out that some Sabahans still lack basic amenities, he said the state government should conduct detailed research to determine the proposed airline’s feasibility.

“As of now, what Sabahans need are better electricity and water supply as well as better road infrastructure,” he told FMT.

“The irony is that even the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is affected by water supply disruptions.”

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