AirAsia plans to suspend S’pore-Sibu sector by Feb 21, Bukit Assek rep urges airline to reconsider

Joseph Chieng

By William Isau

SIBU, Nov 13: Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng wants AirAsia to reconsider suspending its Singapore-Sibu sector, which the low-cost airline plans to do so by Feb 21 next year.

He said that the airline cited low load factor, heavy losses, and rationalisation of the company’s overall operations caused by the global shortage of aircraft as its reasons to suspend the sector.

“The company told me via an e-mail that it will suspend the Singapore-Sibu sector starting Feb 21 next year.

“We want to make a counter proposal to AirAsia to continue the sector by flying from four flights weekly to two or three (flights per week),” he said today.

AirAsia started operating the sector in Dec 2022 four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Chieng, however, said that the sector has been experiencing good passenger loads.

“The Singapore-Sibu sector average load factor is about 67 per cent, which is not too bad. The passenger load for the Singapore-Miri sector is slightly higher at 79 per cent,” he added.

He argued that the sector is still essential for the business community and locals working or studying in Singapore and to promote tourism between the two destinations.

“A few months ago, our Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said another airline (Scoot) is keen to fly this sector. I hope that the federal government will assist in giving the green light to it, and at the same time, AirAsia will maintain the sector,” he said. — DayakDaily