MASwings poised to become regional airline

The Sarawak government will upgrade MASwings to a regional airline from rural air service provider after its takeover from the federal authorities in the next three months, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He noted Sarawak aims to bring the state aviation sector to another level and expand its air connectivity to nearby regions, especially Hong Kong, Shenzhen in China, Singapore, Indonesia and other South-East Asian countries. “With the rural, regional and international air services, we are opening up Sarawak for more opportunities in trade and investment, as well as tourism and business events. For us to be more efficient in providing air services, we are preparing Sarawak to become an aviation hub and to tap the potential for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and training centre for aviators in this region,” he said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the management of rural air services by Sarawak via the acquisition of shares in MASwings Sdn Bhd here last Friday. The MoU was signed between Sarawak state-owned Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of MASwings.<br/>