TEMPO.CO, Sarawak - Low-cost carrier Scoot Airlines has launched a new route directly connecting Singapore to Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The inaugural flight, touching down on June 5, 2024, utilized a brand new E190-E2 Embraer jet, marking the first and only direct service between these two cities.

The thrice-weekly service (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) is expected to significantly improve accessibility and integration between Singapore and Sibu.

Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak's Minister of Transportation, welcomed the opening of the new route and expressed his belief that this direct connection would drive regional growth, particularly in the tourism and investment sectors.

“Enhanced air connectivity plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, supporting local businesses, and promoting Sarawak,” he said in Sibu on Wednesday, June 5.

Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), is expanding its fleet with the addition of nine fuel-efficient E190-E2 jets. These single-aisle aircraft, configured with two seats per row, are specifically targeted at improving connectivity to non-metropolitan destinations like Sibu.

Scoot's E190-E2 fleet currently serves Miri, Kuantan, and Sibu in Malaysia, as well as Hat Yai, Krabi, and Koh Samui in Thailand. “We will announce more destinations,” the airline’s management said.

The choice of Sibu as a new route reflects Scoot's recognition of its market potential, further strengthened by the city's proximity to Singapore. This direct connection aims to make exploring Sarawak more accessible than ever before.

To enhance the overall experience, Scoot has partnered with local tourism bodies, including the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS). Tempo and other media representatives from Singapore, Thailand, China, and India were recently invited to experience the inaugural flight and explore Sibu's diverse cultural offerings.

Sibu: A Cultural Gem Awaits

Sibu, a bustling city and trade hub in Sarawak, offers a captivating blend of cultures. The city's Chinese, Malay, and Iban communities contribute to rich traditions and experiences for visitors. Located on the Borneo island, Sibu is renowned for its strong Fuzhou Chinese heritage, its majestic rivers, and the iconic longhouses of the Iban Dayak people.

Sarawak Tourism Board's CEO, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, considered Scoot’s new route as a gateway to showcasing Sarawak's cultural and natural beauty to tourists. Similarly, STATOS's CEO, Chew Chang Guan, emphasized the partnership's potential to strengthen regional ties and open doors for tourism and trade opportunities.

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