MASwings takeover: All staff to be retained
KUCHING: Sarawak's Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin today gave his assurance that the entire MASwings workforce would be retained to ensure operational continuity following the handover to AirBorneo Holdings Berhad.
He said that the employees' experience and expertise were essential in maintaining service quality and reliability during the transition.
"The full handover of MASwings Sdn Bhd is expected to be completed by Dec 31, 2025, upon the transfer of legal and beneficial ownership to AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd," he said during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
The Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group, MASwings' parent company, signed a share purchase agreement on Feb 12, 2025, enabling Sarawak to take ownership of the regional airline.
Lee said that AirBorneo, which is currently operating under the MASwings brand, would continue to use the existing Air Service Licence (ASL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) throughout the interim period.
Following rebranding, AirBorneo will take on a transformative role in strengthening Sarawak's regional and international air connectivity.
"AirBorneo will continue to prioritise Rural Air Services while progressively expanding to regional destinations," he said, adding that the airline aims to strike a balance between connectivity, affordability, and economic benefit.
Lee said that by enhancing air connectivity and investing in airline capabilities, the Sarawak government was laying the groundwork for inclusive and sustainable development across various sectors, positioning the state as a key player in the regional aviation industry.
In the first quarter of this year, MASwings recorded 191,837 passengers and transported 26.6 tonnes of cargo across its Rural Air Services (RAS) network, with 8,670 aircraft movements — a clear indication of the vital role RAS plays in linking rural and remote communities.
Lee added that his ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Transport Ministry, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), and MASwings, was committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition of RAS operations to AirBorneo.
He assured that the schedule, frequency, and network of RAS flights would remain unchanged throughout and beyond the transition period.
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