By Datuk Ts Dr. Hj Ramli Amir, former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and Vice-President of CILT International for Southeast Asia
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd, once known as Penerbangan Sabah, is among Malaysia’s most enduring aviation institutions. Established on 22 September 1975 as a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Finance of Sabah, the company was born in response to East Malaysia’s pressing need for reliable air services.
The region’s vast geography, difficult terrain, and scattered settlements made aviation not a luxury but a necessity for connectivity and development.
The company began operations with a modest fleet: three Aerospatiale Alouette helicopters, two Australian Nomad N-22B aircraft, a Bell 206 Jet Ranger II, and a Bell 212 helicopter. This small but versatile grouping allowed the young airline to provide emergency transport, government flights, and medical services.
From this modest start, Sabah Air has evolved into a sophisticated aviation services provider—an aerial lifeline helping to shape the socio-economic fabric of Sabah over nearly five decades.
New Leadership for a New Era
The appointment of Captain Andy Jamaludin as Group Chief Executive Officer signals a new strategic chapter for the company.
A mechanical engineer by training, with a BEng (Hons) from the University of Reading and an MBA from UNITAR International University, Captain Andy also holds commercial pilot licenses for both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
His training in both Malaysia and the United States has given him a balanced mix of technical and operational expertise—qualities that position him strongly to lead an aviation company with complex responsibilities.
Beyond credentials, Captain Andy carries with him more than 14 years of leadership experience in Sabah’s public works sector. He understands the state’s unique infrastructure challenges and regulatory environment, insights crucial for navigating East Malaysia’s aviation landscape.
His leadership reflects a pragmatic philosophy: consolidate strengths, emphasize safety, and maintain technical excellence instead of overextending into high-risk ventures.
Strategic Realignment: Focusing on Core Competencies
This pragmatic outlook has shaped Sabah Air’s current strategy. While in 2023 its chairman, Datuk Kenny Chua, expressed ambitions to launch scheduled passenger airline operations under a low-cost model, the industry’s volatility quickly demonstrated the risks.
The collapse of MYAirline later that year underscored how difficult it can be to sustain new scheduled carriers in Malaysia.
Subsequently, Sabah Air opted to reinforce its traditional strengths: charter and on-demand services with a focus on helicopters, particularly the Bell 206 series.
This pivot reflects not retreat but resilience. Instead of competing directly with major commercial airlines, Sabah Air specializes in missions that require adaptability, reliability, and access to remote sites—market segments where it can excel without facing unsustainable financial pressure.
The Bell 206: Operational Cornerstone
The backbone of Sabah Air’s operations today is its Bell 206 fleet, consisting of four aircraft across the JetRanger III (206B-3) and LongRanger (206L) variants. Known for reliability, robustness, and versatility, the Bell 206 remains one of the most iconic helicopters in global aviation.
With seating capacities of four to six passengers, it is well-suited to multiple mission profiles—from corporate charters and tourism flights to emergency evacuation and search-and-rescue. Its ability to operate safely in tropical weather and from improvised landing sites makes it invaluable in Sabah’s rugged interior.
For decades, the type has proven adaptable to the state’s particular aviation needs, making it the natural platform around which Sabah Air builds its strategy.
Medical Aviation
Perhaps no role is more vital to Sabah Air’s identity than its contributions to healthcare. Since the early days of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the company has enabled essential medical attention in remote areas.
Many of these communities lack hospitals or all-weather roads, making helicopters the only feasible access to lifesaving intervention.
The Bell 206 helicopters, with their agility and ability to land in otherwise inaccessible areas, continue to be central to this role. Countless patients’ lives over five decades can be attributed to Sabah Air’s commitment to medical aviation.
Charter and Tourism
Sabah Air has also developed a significant niche in charter services. VIPs, government officials, and corporate executives benefit from its flexible, discreet transportation offerings across Sabah and occasionally Peninsular Malaysia. Diplomats and industries appreciate the ability to travel on demand without the limitations of fixed airline schedules.
Tourism services likewise highlight Sabah’s natural beauty. From aerial views of Mount Kinabalu to island-hopping over turquoise waters, Sabah Air provides scenic flights that attract both international visitors and locals.
The helicopters’ wide windows and stable flight characteristics enhance the passenger experience, making each journey a memorable part of Sabah’s tourism portfolio
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Specialized Services
Beyond passengers, Sabah Air supports industries and governments with specialized operations. Power line inspections, search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, and aerial filming require precision and reliability—the Bell 206 once again proving itself adaptable to these diverse demands.
Equally notable are underslung load missions, in which helicopters transport cargo into remote regions. These flights require both piloting skill and engineering knowledge to safely deliver heavy or sensitive loads while managing shifting flight dynamics.
Operational Infrastructure and Standards
Sabah Air operates from several bases, ensuring statewide coverage. Its headquarters at Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu houses administrative and operational control. Secondary facilities at Sandakan and Tawau provide coverage along Sabah’s east and southeast coasts, while a presence at Subang Airport in Selangor extends support into Peninsular Malaysia.
In regulatory terms, Sabah Air has developed a strong compliance foundation. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) grants it an Air Operator Certificate for non-scheduled services and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) certification to care for smaller aircraft below 5,700 kg. Maintenance approval under Part 145 further ensures upkeep meets international standards. In recent years, Sabah Air also secured permission from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) to provide third-party ground handling—a diversification of its technical services.
This multifaceted infrastructure, paired with a safety management system (SMS) recognized by CAAM, reinforces the company’s reputation as a dependable operator in Malaysia’s aviation sector.
The Double Six Tragedy
Sabah Air’s history is not without hardship. On 6 June 1976, tragedy struck when a GAF Nomad N-22B aircraft, 9M-ATZ, crashed on approach to Kota Kinabalu. All 11 aboard were killed, including Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and key cabinet members.
The disaster, remembered as the “Double Six Tragedy,” became a catalyst for stricter aviation standards nationwide, shaping a culture of greater accountability.
Subsequent events, including a 1995 Bell 412 crash in the South China Sea and accidents in Sarawak in 2011 and Marudi in 2020, further reinforced the company’s commitment to safety. Hard lessons from these experiences informed the present system of rigorous pilot training, maintenance oversight, and emergency preparedness.
Emergency Response Role
This preparedness was evident in 2024, when a Layang Layang Aerospace Bell 206 made an emergency landing in Penampang. A Sabah Air helicopter on another mission quickly coordinated the rescue, dispatching a support team within 30 minutes.
The successful outcome illustrated both intercompany collaboration and the value of Sabah Air’s readiness protocols.
Market Position and Growth Drivers
Sabah Air now finds itself strategically well-positioned. Malaysia’s aviation sector is expanding, with major carriers such as AirAsia targeting millions of new arrivals into Sabah. While these commercial airlines drive mass tourism and connectivity, Sabah Air carves out niches they cannot address medical flights, corporate charters, emergency response, and remote point-to-point operations without airport infrastructure.
Industry drivers play in Sabah Air’s favour. Growth in Sabah’s tourism sector fuels demand for helicopter sightseeing. Expanding oil and gas activities in East Malaysia require air mobility and inspection services. Healthcare investments ensure continued need for medical evacuation. Together, these trends suggest sustained and even rising demand for Sabah Air’s specialized services through the mid-2020s.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Service Excellence
Over nearly five decades, Sabah Air Aviation has grown from a modest helicopter operation into one of East Malaysia’s most vital aviation service providers. Its story reflects adaptability: from humble beginnings to crises such as the Double Six Tragedy, and from ambitious airline dreams to a renewed focus on proven competencies.
Captain Andy Jamaludin’s leadership embodies this pragmatism. By focusing on Bell 206 helicopter operations—reliable, cost-effective, and versatile—the company secures its position as an essential complement to scheduled passenger airlines. Instead of chasing risky expansion, Sabah Air invests in what matters most: safety, technical excellence, and service tailored to Sabah’s geography and people’s needs.
As the company approaches its 50th anniversary, it remains integral to the region’s aviation and healthcare infrastructure. Whether rescuing patients in emergencies, aiding industries, or showing visitors aerial views of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah Air continues to connect communities and support Sabah’s development.
Its enduring value lies not in scale but specialization. In a landscape where mega-airlines dominate headlines, Sabah Air proves that smaller, mission-driven aviation providers are equally indispensable. With its legacy, leadership, and lessons learned, Sabah Air Aviation stands ready to serve East Malaysia for decades to come.
