Sarawak strengthens air links with arrival of Batik Air’s first Guangzhou–Kuching charter

KUCHING (March 18): Sarawak marked yet another significant milestone in its aviation connectivity with the arrival of Batik Air Malaysia’s inaugural scheduled charter flight from Guangzhou to Kuching.

Flight OD663, carrying 145 passengers, touched down at Kuching International Airport (KIA) at around 7.30am and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute to mark the commencement of the new international route.

Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, who represented Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin at the welcoming ceremony, said the new connection reflects growing demand for direct links between Sarawak and China.

“We received the inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Kuching, carrying about 145 passengers, almost a full flight. We look forward to more flights of this kind, bringing in more people, especially tourists, and strengthening the way we connect to one another,” he told a press conference.

He noted that the route complements the inaugural outbound flight from Kuching to Guangzhou on Tuesday night and highlighted the short travel duration as a key advantage.

“The flight is about three hours and 45 minutes. This is a very short flight … they just touched down, good landing, everything was perfectly fine,” he said.

Henry added that improved connectivity would boost tourism and economic activities, while creating jobs and opportunities in related industries.

“Having direct flights is always an advantage. It makes it easier to fly in and out, and that will definitely be a good thing for Sarawak. It will create more jobs, more opportunities, and also benefit downstream industries,” he said.

He acknowledged the efforts of various agencies and stakeholders involved in promoting Sarawak and facilitating the new route.

“I must thank all these agencies that have been directly and indirectly involved, including the agents, Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Ministry of Transport Sarawak. Our minister is working very hard to bring in more direct flights from nearby regions,” he said.

In a statement, Lee said the launch of the Kuching–Guangzhou route would reinforce Kuching’s role as an emerging international aviation gateway.

“This air link will strengthen tourism, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges between Sarawak and China,” he said.

The route would benefit business travellers by providing more convenient and seamless access, while opening up wider economic and investment opportunities between both regions, he said.

Lee thanked Bao Hang International Sdn Bhd for facilitating the scheduled charter service.

“This initiative represents an important first step towards establishing regular scheduled direct flights between Kuching and Guangzhou in the future,” he said.

“The Sarawak Government will continue to support and encourage the development of more direct international flights connecting Sarawak with key global destinations.”

The Kuching–Guangzhou service will operate twice weekly on a year-round basis, with flights departing Kuching every Tuesday and Saturday at 10.20pm, with return flights from Guangzhou every Wednesday and Sunday at 3.20am.