Kuching-Pontianak flights resume next year

DIRECT flight services between Kuching, Sarawak, and Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, are anticipated to commence next year.

State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said this development followed discussions during the 10th Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Transport Cluster meeting in October this year.

“The Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia and we have been discussing this since last year. They are supportive of reinstating Kuching to Pontianak direct flights, with AirAsia awaiting approvals from the Indonesian government,” he said in a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today (Nov 27).

Lee noted that Pontianak’s airport has not yet begun international operations. He mentioned that Malaysian representatives proposed resuming operations at Supadio International Airport, Pontianak, during the BIMP-EAGA meeting.

“The Indonesian Government representative informed us that the airport is set to start international flights in 2024,” Lee added.

The meeting also highlighted the possibility of collaborative promotion of intra-BIMP-EAGA tourism by the Tourism Cluster and airlines to stimulate regional economic growth.

In addition to air connectivity, Lee discussed land transportation, revealing plans for two bus routes from Kuching to Pontianak and Singkawang. However the ministry proposed a direct bus route from Kuching to Singkawang, bypassing Pontianak.