Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
AirBorneo Orders Eight ATR Aircraft to Modernize Rural Air Services Fleet
AirBorneo orders eight ATR turboprops to upgrade its fleet for Sarawak and Sabah Rural Air Services, with deliveries from 2027 to 2029.
AirBorneo, the East Malaysian carrier formerly known as MASwings, has officially placed a firm orders for eight ATR aircraft to modernize its fleet. Announced on February 3, 2026, at the Singapore Airshow, the deal underscores the airline’s commitment to maintaining vital connectivity across the Rural Air Services (RAS) network in Sarawak and Sabah.
According to reporting by Malay Mail, the acquisition is part of a broader strategy following the Sarawak state government’s takeover of the airlines from the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). The new turboprops are intended to replace the aging fleet inherited during the transition, ensuring reliable service for remote communities that depend on air travel for essential supplies and medical access.
The agreement, which was finalized in late 2025 but publicly unveiled at the 2026 airshow, includes a mix of aircraft sizes designed to optimize operations across Borneo’s diverse terrain. Industry reports indicate the order consists of five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s. Additionally, AirBorneo has secured purchase rights for four more aircraft.
Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2027 and conclude by 2029. While the exact contract value remains undisclosed, Malay Mail notes that based on list prices, the deal is valued at approximately $196 million. This investment marks a significant step for the newly rebranded entity as it seeks to stabilize and improve the efficiency of its subsidized routes.
The selection of the ATR 42-600 specifically addresses the constraints of short runways found in the interior of Borneo. These aircraft possess Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities required for airfields such as Ba’kelalan and Bario. Furthermore, the new fleet will be equipped to handle medical stretcher operations, a critical requirement for emergency evacuations from rural areas to major hospitals in cities like Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
The transition from MASwings to AirBorneo represents the fulfillment of the Sarawak government’s long-standing ambition to control its air connectivity. The RAS network is a government-subsidized essential service that links interior towns with larger commercial hubs. These routes are often commercially unviable but are mandated for social and economic integration.
In a statement regarding the order, AirBorneo leadership emphasized the suitability of the turboprop platform for their specific operating environment.
“Our new ATR -600 fleet will significantly strengthen the Rural Air Services network by offering improved comfort, greater efficiency, and the operational capability required for regional connectivity in East Malaysia.”
, Megat Ardian, CEO of AirBorneo
The manufacturer, ATR, highlighted the operational flexibility provided by the mixed fleet. By operating both the 42 and 72 variants, AirBorneo can “right-size” capacity, deploying smaller aircraft on thinner routes with infrastructure limitations while using the larger ATR 72-600 for high-demand trunk routes.
The decision to split the order between the ATR 72 and the smaller ATR 42 is a pragmatic correction of previous fleet strategies. In the past, operators in the region often struggled with the economics of flying larger turboprops into airfields with limited passenger loads or runway restrictions. By reintroducing new-generation ATR 42s, AirBorneo is prioritizing operational reliability and runway accessibility over raw capacity.
Furthermore, the inclusion of purchase rights for four additional aircraft suggests ambitions beyond the subsidized RAS network. As the airline stabilizes its core mandate, these options could facilitate expansion into the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) region, allowing the Sarawak-owned carrier to cultivate international tourism and trade links independent of federal carriers.
Order Details and Fleet Composition
Delivery and Valuation
Operational Capabilities
Strategic Shift for Rural Air Services
AirPro News analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: Travel and Tour World