Sarawak eyes direct Kuching–Jeju flights as AirBorneo expands regional tourism links

KUCHING, Aug 18 — Sarawak is exploring the possibility of direct AirBorneo Airways flights from Kuching to Jeju Island in South Korea as the state seeks to boost tourism in key regional markets. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated that South Korea, with Jeju Island as a priority, has been identified as one of the destinations AirBorneo could serve.

"Korea is one of the destinations that we are going to have AirBorneo flying to. We hope to have that connectivity between Kuching and Jeju Island, not Incheon," the minister told a press conference following the opening of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart in Kuching. Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage and Global Geopark, is seen as a potential Unesco Global Geopark candidate by Kuching, which is also on the path to being recognized as such.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressed interest in direct services to Jeju Island last December, noting it could connect the two geoparks. South Korea is seen as a promising market for Sarawak, with strong local interest in travel there and potential for attracting more Korean visitors. Abdul Karim highlighted Sarawak's potential to learn from South Korea's development in various industries, as well as the rising number of Korean families sending their children to Kuching for English education at international schools.

The need for improved regional air connectivity was highlighted amid Sarawak's limitations in direct international access. PATA chief executive officer Noor Ahmad Hamid noted that despite Sarawak's lack of direct flights compared to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or Singapore, the 2026 PATA Travel Mart attracted over 1,100 delegates from 48 countries.