SARAWAK-owned Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expedite the shares acquisition in MASWings Sdn Bhd for the management of rural air services.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said the MOU would facilitate discussions between both parties to ensure the state acquires a majority stake in MASWings.

“Detailed discussions (will be held) between the Sarawak government, the federal government and … Khazanah Nasional Bhd. We want a majority stake, and MAG may likely want a stake, but the majority should be Sarawak’s.

“I will give them three months (to complete the takeover process). If possible, we can fully operate and start flying next year,” he said when met by reporters after the signing ceremony in Kuching today.

Hornbill Skyways, which has been running air charter services in Sarawak since 1977, was mandated to take over MASWings and operate rural air services in Sarawak and Sabah.

Abang Johari said the state government aimed to make Kuching the airline’s hub and expand the carrier’s routes to regional destinations about six to seven hours away, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and India.

However, he said MASWings would not be profit-oriented as the aim of the expansion was to serve the people. – Bernama, October 27, 2023.