SIBU: The upgrading of facilities in all airports in the state proposed by the Ministry of Transport needs a special attention from the new federal government.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that for the past 10 years and especially with several changes in the federal government, the upgrading facility projects requested had not being approved.
“Malaysia Airport Berhad has optimising plan for airports in the state such as on aerobridge. This has been long overdue of up to 10 years and not done (facility upgrading),” he said in a press conference before welcoming the passenger’s arrival from Singapore at Sibu Airport yesterday.
Taking Miri Airport as an example, Lee said that they were receiving eight flights weekly from Singapore.
“Miri is a major revenue generator for the country in term of oil and gas. There are eight flights from Singapore (weekly) and the airport cannot cope.
“We (Miri Airport) need more aerobridges and better apron while new aerobridges are also needed for Bintulu Airport as the current ones are prone to breakdown.
“As for Kuching International Airport, he said the boarding area at Gate 7 needs improvement due to frequent complaints from passengers for international flight that they find it difficult to get out,” he said.
Meanwhile, for Sibu Airport Lee said that a total of RM8 million has been allocated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) for it upgrading work.
“The fund was allocated to upgrade its (Sibu Airport) facilities where half of it will be for fire tender. The rest are for maintenance and repair of wiring, CCTVs,” he said.
