Borneo is the world’s third largest island, but also a massively untapped market for tourism.
The diverse animal and plant life in Borneo’s tropical jungles has mythic appeal to adventure-seeking westerners. Now the newly-established AirBorneo, created out of MASWings, is poised to cater to this untapped market.
The fledgling carrier has placed an order for five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s, for delivery from 2027 to 2029, to replace aging fleet of eight ATR 72-500s. The deal also includes purchase rights for four more aircraft.
The -600 has an improved passenger cabins including larger overhead bins. These aircraft also have a more advanced avionics system, giving the aircraft the capability to land at airports using satelitte-based navigation, an important feature as many airports in Borneo have no instrument landing systems (ILS).
The fact that the new ATR fleet includes the 50-seat ATR, is interesting. It indicates that AirBorneo may possibly replace its 70-seat ATR 72s and six 19-seat de Havilland Canada Twin Otters on some routes.
The ATR fleet also has scope to launch international services to the rest of Borneo, namely to the neighbouring Indonesian province of Kalimantan which make up most of the island.
Kalimantan has three international airports – Pontianak on Borneo’s southwest coast; Balikpapan, the oil and gas town on Borneo’s southeast coast; and Nusantara which is a short drive from Balikpapan but has its own international airport because this newly-built city is slated to become Indonesia’s capital in August 2028.
AirBorneo’s hub in East Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu is already effectively the international gateway to Borneo. But by developing its network across the island, using its ATRs and Twin Otters, and tapping into international demand for Borneo adventure holidays, gives the carrier momentum to grow its business and help Borneo achieve its tourism potential.
