The premier of the Malaysian state government of Sarawak, Abang Johari, says AirBorneo is planning to convert a single ATR72-500 aircraft for cargo transport, New Straits Times reported.
The ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop will transport agricultural products and livestock within the region. According to the premier, the state government-owned airline must have at least one dedicated freighter due to its growing exports.
AirBorneo will take over the fleet of MASwings (MY, Kota Kinabalu) as part of Sarawak's acquisition of the Malaysia Aviation Group regional subsidiary. ch-aviation data shows that the airline operates a fleet of eight ATR72-500s and six DHC-6-400s. With an average fleet age of 16.2 years, the -500 series aircraft would be replaced with newer ATR72-600s as their leases expire over the coming two years.
“As most of the current ATR aircraft have been in service for a long time, they will be replaced with new ATR72-600 aircraft after the lease period, which is expected to end in at least two years,” Johari told The Borneo Post.
In the meantime, Sarawak's premier said AirBorneo planned to reconfigure its ATR72-500 fleet, having described the type as "quite cramped." The reconfiguration will occur once AirBorneo fully assumes MASwings' operations.
As for the DHC-6-400 fleet, Johari confirmed there were still no concrete plans to replace the type, given its relevance in reaching smaller, rural airports on the island. MASwings' flights are concentrated in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Labuan Federal Territory.
While key local officials have laid out ambitious international expansion plans for the future, the Sarawak government's main priority is uninterrupted service to Malaysia's rural areas.
The MASwings aircraft are still operating MH-coded flights as part of a rural air services agreement with Malaysia's Ministry of Transport, effective December 19, 2024, until December 31, 2025. AirBorneo must complete all the necessary permits and licences to operate as a separate entity before the agreement's renewal.
