Borneo Airways Limited


Borneo Airways Limited also known as Borneo Airways, was the principal domestic air carrier in British Borneo based in Labuan between 1957 until 1965. It was originally founded in 1953 as Sabah Airways Limited. , to operate an air route between Sandakan and Jesselton. The airline operated scheduled passenger service, as well as cargo, mail and chartered services primarily on the three British Borneo territories.

History

Sabah Airways Ltd.

Borneo Airways traced its history to Sabah Airways Ltd. , established by the Straits Steamship Company Limited and the government of British North Borneo. A subsidiary of Malayan Airways, the airline was launched in order to provide internal feeder service and rural flights in the territory. The proving flights started in May 1953 followed by a scheduled twice weekly flights in June 1953, linking Jesselton and Sandakan via Kudat, Ranau and Keningau. The operation later continued to Tawau in September 1953 and Lahad Datu in 1954.
By 1955, the network was broadened into the State of Brunei and the Colony of Sarawak, with the airline acquiring the third de Havilland Dragon Rapide essential for its expansion. The base was also being shifted to Labuan Airport, replacing Sandakan Aerodrome, due to its more central geographical location for the routes.

Borneo Airways Ltd.

In 1957, the North Borneo Government with the government of Sarawak and Brunei established a new company in association of British Overseas Airways Corporation and Malayan Airways to form Borneo Airways, a successor of Sabah Airways. The company raised its capital amount to $580,000 of which 51% of its shares were jointly owned by the British Borneo Government.
The company was registered in Kuching, Sarawak; while its main operating base and company headquarter remained in Labuan. The company was delegated the task to operate and further developing the internal air services between the three territories. By 1958, all of the former Sabah Airways assets were officially shifted into Borneo Airways.
The airline acquired 2 new Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer in April 1958, purchased jointly by the Governments of Sarawak, Brunei and North Borneo. The company also received its first DC-3 aircraft leased from Malayan Airways in August 1958 for its high demand routes, the aircraft was also modified to increased its seat capacity from 28 to 30 seats.
clad in their uniform.
During its first year of operation in 1957/1958, the airline recorded a revenue of $1,150,848. By 1960, the airline had registered 32,782 passengers for the year 1959/1960, a 35% growth compared to the previous year. During the same period, the airline also flew 76 tonnes of mail and 187 tonnes of cargo. By 1964, the airline revenue grew to $3,675,275. The airline had also commenced the recruitment of local Borneans for its pilot training program.
In September 1962, the airline received another 30-seater DC-3 to meet the steady growth from the main urban and commercial areas of the British Borneo Territories, while its external service to Singapore was operated by Malayan Airways. The Malayan Airways route to and from Singapore was also streamlined with the local Borneo Airways schedule, in order to provide practical transit time for the passengers connecting via the two carriers.

Merger with Malaysian Airways

The possibility of unification between Malayan with Borneo Airways to form Malaysian Airways was purposed as early as 1963 by Captain R.P Mollard, the General Manager of Malayan Airways, to reflect the foundation of the then-newly established Malaysia.
In April 1964, the Transport Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Haji Sardon has mooted the prospect of merger between Malaysian Airways and Borneo Airways. The aim was to provide an efficient service under a single company and administration, as well as a better integration of the new born country. An increased air connectivity between East and West Malaysia, together with a uniform rates resulting a reduction of fares within the intra-Borneo flights were also expected following the consolidation.
It was officially incorporated by then Malaysian Airways Limited in April 1, 1965. At the time of the takeover, Borneo Airways fleet consisted of 3 Douglas DC-3 and 2 Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer aircraft. Following the merger, Malaysian Airways stationed 2 Fokker F27 Friendship to be based in East Malaysia to replace the DC-3 aircraft.

Fleet

Destinations

At the time before it ceased operations, Borneo Airways operated scheduled services to the following destinations. Towns served by DC-3 are in bold.
Borneo Airways had several incidents and accidents over its history, with 2 hull loss although none has resulted any loss of life during its operation.