KUCHING will have a new international airport, Premier Abang Johari Openg announced in the legislative assembly today.
Though he did not give details, he said that with the Sarawak government's takeover of MASwings, the state is poised to become another aviation regional hub for Asean.
He told reporters at the state assembly lobby later that the Sarawak government's plan would be to build a totally new airport and they would be discussing this with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the federal agency that manages most of the airports in the country, if they would like to be a partner in the venture.
“We will discuss with MAB (to be) a partner in constructing the airport.”
Abang Johari also said upgrading of the present 41 year-old Kuching international airport is out of the question.
The present terminal of the KIA was completed in July 1983.
The current airport, the premier added, could no longer handle the growing passenger traffic and flight frequencies.
“The volume of traffic is increasing and its beyond capacity. Facilities too are inadequate.”
Abang Johari would not disclose the location of the new airport, saying it would be revealed when the time is right.
Last month, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Abdul Karim Hamzah slammed MAB for failing to keep the standard of the airport at the expected level.
He said the upkeep of the KIA leaves “much to be desired”.
Karim was particularly unhappy with the cleanliness of the toilets and its numbers.
He said there is not even a single toilet at the international departure lounge.
KIA is the third busiest airport in the country, behind KLIA and Kota Kinabalu airport, handling six million passengers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Karim also said the check in facilities, baggage collection and various service counters at the airport are also showing signs of ageing. - The Vibes, May 15, 2024.
