KUCHING: The decision to build a new Kuching International Airport is a crucial step towards advancing Sarawak into a high-income state.
The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) advisor, Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok, noted that the current airport ranks as the third largest in Malaysia but serves only six to seven airlines.
This makes it considerably smaller than Kota Kinabalu, the second largest airport, which accommodates a more extensive range of airlines, destinations and passengers.
“With the establishment of Sarawak Airline and the implementation of a more relaxed open sky policy, we anticipate exponential growth in air traffic within Sarawak. To meet this demand, the government is responsibly planning for a new, modern and larger airport,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Sim, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan chairman, said that the planning process should start now due to the considerable time required from inception to completion.
“The airport’s location must serve as a nucleus for growth while ensuring strategic accessibility to Kuching at minimal cost to users. Developing an ecosystem to support increased traffic and arrivals is paramount,” he added.
Sim also said the need for addressing accommodation needs, such as constructing additional hotels, and expanding services including food outlets, shopping facilities, taxi services and attractions to accommodate the anticipated rise in travellers to Kuching and Sarawak.
“In the interim, there is widespread support for enhancing the existing airport to improve the traveller experience. This includes improving areas at check-in, immigration, and luggage claim to ensure smoother and more convenient passage through Kuching Airport,” he said.
Recently, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the state government was planning to develop a new international airport in Kuching to support the growing aviation industry in Sarawak.
“We will do a study because the (air) traffic is increasing and I see that the current airport’s building is unable to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. The current airport is actually beyond capacity and unable to facilitate the increased air traffic,” he said.
