KUCHING: The Sarawak government and global aerospace leader Airbus have agreed to form a joint task force to chart a strategic roadmap for the state’s aerospace sector, marking a significant step towards positioning Sarawak as a regional aviation hub.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the collaboration will harness industry expertise through structured dialogue and technical consultation, with the roadmap expected to act as a key growth driver for the aviation industry and unlock international opportunities.
The formation of the task force is one of six strategic cooperation areas finalised during Abang Johari’s official visit to the Airbus Campus and ATR headquarters in Toulouse, France.
Among the initiatives agreed upon is the development of a 40.5-hectare aerotropolis in Sarawak, in partnership with Airbus. The integrated hub will serve to support the entire aviation ecosystem, including maintenance, training, and support services.
The parties have also committed to exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuel, which is currently under development in Sarawak, reinforcing both environmental sustainability and industrial innovation.
Airbus will further collaborate with local academic institutions such as ICATS University College to design aerospace-related training programmes and curricula. These initiatives aim to cultivate highly skilled talent tailored to meet the demands of the fast-growing aerospace industry.
In addition, Airbus will assist Sarawak in evaluating the potential for manufacturing composite materials and gas-based synthetic leather, as well as advancing avionics and instrumentation systems driven by artificial intelligence.
The partnership also includes the joint development of digital journey systems and integrated flight services to streamline travel and mobility solutions through a unified digital platform.
–Bernama
