How will new Sarawak airline be useful, asks expert
PETALING JAYA: A transport expert has criticised what he sees as a hasty decision by the Sarawak government to announce the launch of an airline and the construction of an airport in Bebuling.
Transport planning consultant Rosli Azad Khan said chief minister Abang Johari Openg should have first discussed the matter with experts to prevent the raising of white elephants.
Abang Johari recently said Sarawak was planning to set up a boutique airline to be operated by Hornbill Skyways, the state-owned airline company.
He said the move would boost the state economy through the export of agricultural products as well as meet demand for individual travel and tourism in rural areas through the Bebuling STOLport Airport, estimated to cost RM108 million.
Rosli said he could not see the unique selling point of a new airline based at Bebuling, which he described as a “totally unknown destination” with little market potential.
“I suggest that the chief minister employ an expert to advise him on problems and issues regarding air connectivity in Sarawak,” he told FMT. “Without a clear understanding of the problems in air connectivity, this new airline may not be useful at all.
“In my opinion, aircraft should be based in remote airports like Bario, Ba’kelalan and Long Pasia so that early morning services can be offered to passengers who wish to get to Miri or Sibu.”
He said such an allocation of air services would better meet the demands of those in remote areas as it would be more suited to their daily schedule.
He also said this could be useful during an emergency.
He described Bebuling as “not exactly a remote location”.
Referring to the chief minister’s remark about running services to regional overseas destinations, Rosli said: “Is it going to be another low-cost airline? How is it going to be any different from existing airlines?”
He said Bebuling could suffer the same fate as the Tanjung Manis airport, “which has failed to attract any airline or services”.
However, another consultant, Goh Bok Yen, congratulated the state government for moving to “further strengthen the state economy” by optimising resources found in Sarawak.
“There are a lot of high-value resources in Sarawak. An increased frequency in freight movement through a separate airline can see these resources moved quickly,” he said.
He said the airline would also contribute to tourism.
Goh also said the federal government would need to help the state by building and maintaining the airport.
“The state can then focus its financial resources on operations. This will definitely help make the operation more economically viable.” - FMT
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