BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
THE Kuching International Airport (KIA) has the capacity to be expanded to accommodate up to 12 million passengers a year.
Deputy Minister of Ministry of Transport Datuk Jerip Susil said this is based on a study named the Kuching International Airport Master Plan Study which was conducted in 2020 by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
He said the Ministry of Transport conducted an audit of four major airports in Sarawak and proposed the upgrade and rehabilitation of existing facilities.
“MAHB has carried out works to repair and upgrade the facilities at Kuching International Airport in phases since 2019 and spent RM2.5 million to upgrade toilets, signage and re-pave the runway.
“For 2023 to 2025, MAHB has allocated RM2.9 million to upgrade the facilities, baggage handling systems and aerobridge,” he said in reply to Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh during question time today.
He also said his ministry and MAHB aim to acquire land for Kuching International Airport’s upcoming phase.
“The proposed scope in the Kuching International Airport Master Plan Study includes building more check-in platforms, government and airline offices, signage, baggage storage systems, improved aerobridge hall upgrades and automation toward airport 4.0,” he said.
