Tiong Seeks To Enhance Malaysia-Singapore Air Connectivity During SCOOT Meeting
SINGAPORE, May 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing held discussions with low-cost carrier Scoot on Thursday to enhance air connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia, including the potential launch of a direct Singapore-Bintulu route.
Tiong, who was on a one-day working visit here, met with Scoot's chief commercial officer, Calvin Chan and the airline’s management team to explore broader collaboration in the tourism sector.
“I took the opportunity to emphasise the strategic importance of re-establishing a direct Singapore–Bintulu route, which was previously operated by other carriers before the pandemic but has yet to resume,” Tiong said in a Facebook post.
He said Bintulu Airport serves as a crucial gateway to the Samalaju Industrial Park, a major heavy industry zone within greater Bintulu, which lies outside the town centre.
Tiong noted that the area attracts a large number of international professionals, business travellers, and visitors.
“Establishing this direct route would greatly enhance convenience for these travellers, who currently need to transit via Miri, Kuching, or Sibu (provinces in Sarawak, Malaysia), and support the region’s economic and tourism development,” he said.
Tiong said the discussion also covered the possibility of increasing the frequency of Scoot’s Singapore-Langkawi flights, a move that would enhance tourist arrivals and further strengthen bilateral tourism flows.
“In addition, I highlighted the growing demand for improved air connectivity to Tawau, Sabah, given the steady rise in visitors heading to Semporna – an increasingly popular destination that lacks its own airport – underscoring the need to strengthen links into the region via Tawau,” he said.
The minister added that he had also called on Tourism Malaysia and Scoot to expedite the formalisation of their Memorandum of Cooperation, which aims to capitalise on Singapore’s strategic role as ASEAN’s financial and aviation hub.
He noted that enhanced collaboration and improved connectivity would enable Malaysia to attract more international visitors by providing smoother entry points and seamless travel experiences.
“This aligns with our ongoing efforts to position Malaysia as a preferred, accessible, and well-connected destination for global travellers,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
