KUCHING: The acquisition of MASwings by the Sarawak government not only involves the airline's operations, but also ground-handling at all airports in the state.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said the acquisition agreement has yet to be finalised as third-party auditors for both parties are still in discussion to determine the company's value, including ground assets.
"The acquisition process was supposed to be completed, but currently, negotiations on the valuation of the company's assets are still ongoing.
"The assets include those used in ground-handling at major airports such as Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and smaller ones in rural areas," he said in a press conference following a visit to the Sarawak Service Centre at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here today.
Johari also revealed that the name for the new airline had been decided, but it would only be officially announced once negotiations between the Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) have been concluded.
"I am confident that the full acquisition negotiations for MASwings, including ground-handling at all airports, will be completed in the first quarter of this year," he said.
The Sarawak government is establishing its own airline to open up more direct flight routes from Sarawak to international destinations.
Among the planned international destinations are South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and as far as Frankfurt in Germany.1