BINTULU, June 28 — The flight frequency between Bintulu and Kuala Lumpur will increase to twice daily beginning July 20, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

He said the additional service was confirmed by Batik Air following active discussions with the airline in response to growing public concerns over limited flight availability and high airfares.

According to the Bintulu MP, with the new schedule, passengers will have access to two daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu, departing at 10am and 2.30pm. Flights from Bintulu to Kuala Lumpur will depart at 1.10pm and 5.40pm.

Tiong said recent reductions in flight frequency and rising ticket prices had generated frequent feedback from the public, prompting him to push for more flights on the route.

“Initially, I proposed the addition of two daily flights. Following negotiations, the airline agreed to first introduce one fixed additional daily service, taking into account aircraft capacity and suitable scheduling arrangements.

“If passenger demand continues to rise, the possibility of adding another flight will be assessed, potentially increasing the frequency to three flights a day,” he said in a statement.

He noted that Bintulu’s steady economic growth had led to increased demand for travel for business, education, medical treatment and tourism.

Tiong said concerns raised by various sectors of society regarding flight availability and airfare affordability were conveyed to the airline, which responded positively to the requests.

At the same time, he urged Batik Air to ensure operational stability while increasing flight frequency, stressing that frequent cancellations or last-minute schedule changes could significantly inconvenience travellers.

He also called on the airline to maintain reasonable airfare levels, where possible, to reduce the financial burden on passengers travelling between Bintulu and Kuala Lumpur.

“As ticket prices gradually stabilise, this will help boost passenger traffic and create a win-win situation for both the airline and its passengers,” he said.

Tiong emphasised that improving aviation services requires practical cooperation among the government, airlines and relevant authorities, adding that tangible improvements rather than mere promises were what mattered most to the public.

“What the public is most concerned about is having more flight options and ensuring fares remain at a reasonable level. The increase in flights will not only help address the current shortage in capacity but also facilitate travel for Bintulu residents to and from Peninsular Malaysia and other parts of the country,” he added. —The Borneo Post