Sabah Air to spread wings

KOTA KINABALU: State-owned Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd is working towards becoming a full-fledged airline to operate domestic and regional routes.

The company, currently offering charter services with a fleet of 11 helicopters and two aeroplanes, has mapped out a comprehensive strategy to start scheduled flight services within the state and nearby destinations.

Sabah Air chairman Datuk Yusoff Kassim said once its board of directors gave the green light, the company would seek approvals from the Transport Ministry and the Department of Civil Aviation. He said Sabah Air's move was necessary in the wake of some airlines stopping flights from here to regional destinations.

For example, Malaysia Airlines was suspending flights from Kota Kinabalu to Perth, Haneda, Osaka and Seoul from this month as part of the carrier's rationalisation plan. “The core of our three-phase strategy is to address issues faced by passengers who had booked flights but were facing potential cancellations due to the suspension of services.

“Sabah Air is already negotiating with potential aircraft lessors to fill that gap under our Air Operators Certificate (AOC) charter on a wet lease basis,” said Yusoff. (Wet lease means that Sabah Air would be leasing the aircraft as well as the crew, maintenance and insurance.)

The second phase would see Sabah Air setting up a full fledged airline to serve the state and the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) comprising Brunei, southern Philippines and the Indonesian provinces of West, East and North Kalimantan as well as Sulawesi. “The main focus is to provide efficient logistical support for passengers and cargo and connect this region with the rest of the world,” Yusoff said.

The third phase would see Sabah Air addressing air connectivity for the rural interior destinations in the state. “We are looking at a customised and localised cost-effective solution and, eventually, duplicating the business model to other parts of Sabah and Sarawak,” Yusuff added.

-thestar online.