AirBorneo set to connect Jakarta to Kuching, eyes direct flights to Thailand and South Korea next
AirBorneo Airways is set to connect Kuching with Jakarta next. Based on media reports, the airline has placed Jakarta in the main list of destinations connected by the airline.
The airline is also considering expanding its international network to South Korea and Thailand, with Jeju Island and Bangkok identified as potential destinations from Kuching.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said South Korea is among the markets being considered by AirBorneo, with Jeju Island identified as a potential destination for a direct connection from Kuching.
The proposal was highlighted on Aug 18, with Abdul Karim saying a direct Kuching-Jeju service could create additional tourism opportunities between Sarawak and South Korea.
Jeju is already recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, while Kuching is expected to receive UNESCO Global Geopark recognition next year, according to Abdul Karim.
He said the potential connection would also cater to interest among Sarawakians in traveling to South Korea and provide access to the Korean tourism market.
Bangkok also under consideration
Bangkok is another destination being considered as AirBorneo expands beyond its existing network.
According to Abdul Karim, Bangkok could be introduced after AirBorneo’s planned direct service to Jakarta, which he said is expected to begin next month.
“Jakarta will be the next destination next month, but after that it could be Bangkok or Jeju Island,” he was reported as saying.
The Bangkok proposal follows earlier developments involving AirBorneo and Thailand’s aviation authorities.
In June, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that AirBorneo was among four new airlines allocated airport slots for Thailand’s Winter 2026/2027 scheduling season.
The CAAT allocation indicated a proposed Kuching-Suvarnabhumi-Kuching service.
However, AirBorneo subsequently clarified in June that it had not submitted an application for a direct Kuching-Bangkok service and that the route had not been formally confirmed at that stage.
The airline said regional destinations remained part of its longer-term network planning.
AirBorneo’s international expansion
AirBorneo began its first international scheduled service between Kuching and Singapore on July 22, marking its entry into international operations.
The airline currently operates daily flights on the route.
The airline also launched its Kuching-Kuala Lumpur jet service on July 20 using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The proposed Jeju and Bangkok services would therefore represent further potential expansion of AirBorneo’s regional international network.
At present, however, neither the Kuching-Jeju nor Kuching-Bangkok service has been announced as a confirmed scheduled route but it was noted that airlines is looking at owning a fleet of 17 jet aircraft in the future to push it into profitability.
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