AirBorneo to convert ATR aircraft for Singapore food exports
BINTULU: AirBorneo will convert one of the ATR-72 turboprop aircraft it will inherit in its takeover of MASwings into a cargo plane to support the growing export of food and agricultural products to Singapore, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced.
He said the aircraft would be used to transport the state's expanding agricultural and livestock exports to the city-state.
One key export is tilapia fish, bred at the reservoir of the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam.
Sarawak currently exports between 10 to 12 tonnes of tilapia and patin fish to Singapore annually.
These are currently air-freighted via commercial flights.
There is also a growing niche in specialty agricultural and food items — including speciality rice and kek lapis — being exported by air to Singapore.
Speaking at the opening of the state's largest agricultural festival, the Sarawak Agrofest today, Abang Johari said poultry is the latest addition to the export list.
He added that in view of the growing export volume, it was prudent for the state-owned airline to operate a dedicated cargo aircraft for Singapore-bound products.
MASwings currently has about eight of the French-built ATR 72-500 series aircraft.