AirBorneo launches historic inaugural Kuching-KL flight

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (3^rd right) receiving a replica of the AirBorneo Boeing 737-800 jet from Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki as a memento.

KUCHING, 20 July 2026: Sarawak’s own AirBorneo officially kickstarted its Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route earlier today at the Kuching International Airport, marking a historic milestone for the state-owned airline and Sarawak’s aviation sector.

AirBorneo’s flight MY5005, which took off at 1pm, was preceded by a launching ceremony at KIA’s Boarding Gate 7, which was graced by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki. Also in attendance, Deputy Premiers of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohammad Asfia bin Awang Nasar, honourable ministers and deputy ministers, AirBorneo’s Board of Directors and CEO of AirBorneo, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin.

Distinguished guests watching the water cannon salute at the boarding gate.

During the launching ceremony today, a water cannon salute was first held, welcoming one of AirBorneo’s two wet-leased Boeing 737-800 aircrafts, before taking off to Kuala Lumpur with the Sarawak Premier and other distinguished guests on board. AirBorneo will be serving 2 daily flights between Kuching and Kuala Lumpur, serving a vital link between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, across the South China Sea. 

“The launching of the inaugural AirBorneo flight to Kuala Lumpur is a meaningful and historic achievement for us Sarawakians, as it proves that the state has the capability and capacity to develop and navigate such a technical and complex industry. With Sarawak Day only days away, today’s launching is a special gift for all Sarawakians, including our past and current leaders who have fought and sacrificed much to lay a strong enough foundation for a developed and prosperous Sarawak we enjoy today,” shared Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar bin Marzuki, who is also Chairman of AirBorneo.

AirBorneo staff waving off the inaugural Kuching-KL flight on the tarmac.

AirBorneo flight MY5005 takes off for Kuala Lumpur.

“AirBorneo is an important bridge that connects Sarawakian Borneo to the rest of the world, serving as an extremely important link in strengthening trade, tourism and connectivity. As we are on an island, connectivity is vital. Take a look at Japan. Like us, they are also an island, and one of the first post-war moves they made when rebuilding was to establish Japan Airlines. With strong logistics, Japan became industrialised, and was developed way ahead of many Asian countries,” added Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg in his launching speech, expressing hope that with organic growth, Sarawak will be like Dubai after 2030. 

AirBorneo will be introducing its Kuching-Singapore route this July 22, with flights to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Jakarta (Indonesia) planned for next year. To know more about AirBorneo and flights offered, check out https://airborneo.com/.