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SINGAPORE: AirBorneo is eyeing an expansion of its operations with additional capacity and routes, as it plans to introduce jet-engine operations in the second half of 2026.

Its chief executive officer, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, said the airline intends to offer services to regional cities, including Asean destinations and domestic points, with its jet operations.

He said AirBorneo is expected to commence jet operations through an aircraft leasing arrangement, as it is currently unable to place orders for the aircraft.

“At present, we are working on regulatory approvals. Once the aircraft arrives, we are also preparing the products and services to be offered on board, as well as below-wing and above-wing services.

“We are preparing operational readiness, including ground handling, flight operations, engineering, and commercial readiness for network, revenue management, and sales,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow 2026.

According to Megat Ardian, the airline’s long-term strategy is to establish an operational network that serves as the backbone connecting major cities to its rural and regional network.

The reciprocal flying network is designed to bring tourists and other travellers into Kuching, dispersing them throughout the rural air services (RAS) network.

“Tourists will visit some of our communities, such as Bario and Mulu, while communities from other regions will fly into Kuching. That is where expansion occurs, using both turboprops and jet aircraft,” he added.  

On February 3, AirBorneo entered into an agreement with aircraft manufacturer ATR, a French-Italian maker of regional turboprop airliners, to order eight aircraft — comprising five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s — with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

The new-generation ATR-600 series will form the backbone of a more efficient and resilient RAS operation for East Malaysia.

Megat Ardian highlighted that the new aircraft deliveries will occur in a 2-4-2 sequence, beginning in the third quarter of 2027 with two aircraft, four in 2028, and the remaining two in 2029.

He noted that the new ATR aircraft are set to replace the existing ATRs, which will continue to operate on the same routes.

“No new airports are coming online, so the network remains the same,” he said.

Commenting on the first month of operations since the airline commenced its inaugural flight on January 2, Megat Ardian said AirBorneo currently has 14 aircraft, including eight ATRs and six Twin Otters.

The airline currently flies to 23 destinations, with five ATRs based in Kota Kinabalu, two ATRs and five Twin Otters operating from Miri, and one ATR and one Twin Otter from Kuching.

“Since we took over operations from Malaysia Airlines Group, we have carried approximately 53,000 passengers in January,” he said.