KUCHING: There is a pressing need for the upgrading of Miri Airport in view of its increased passenger and aircraft movements.
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said as a short-term solution to the matter, an optimisation plan would be implemented first.
“For the optimisation plan under the Ministry of Transport (MoT) Malaysia, there would be one more departure hall and addition of more aerobridges.
“At the moment, we only have three aerobridges, and the plan is to add two more aerobridges,” he said in a press conference after visiting the Miri Airport’s aerobridge project here today.
Lee, who is also the Senadin assemblyman, said he had requested for the upgrading of these projects in 2023 with federal MoT Minister Anthony Loke.
“Unfortunately, it is not approved in the budget and I met with the minister early this year, and he has given top priority for it to be included in the 2024 Budget and for execution,” he said, adding the optimisation plan will run up till 2030 to cater for the estimated passengers arrival.
“However, in the long-term, we need an overall masterplan for Miri Airport beyond 2030 because Miri Airport’s maximum capacity of passengers is at two million.
“That is why I’m calling MoT to work out the plan for the extension of Miri Airport because Miri is growing and we need a proper plan,” he said.
Previously a similar plan was proposed and had been approved under the former Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in 2017.
“The previous project at a cost of RM285 million, included the implementation of a new terminal building, multi-storey car park and other facilities were approved.
“Hence, we are still pursuing this project and hopefully it can be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan for the long-term development of Miri Airport,” he said.
Commenting on the aircraft and passenger movement at Miri Airport, he said this year would see an increase of passengers; as of February 2024, the number of aircraft movement to the airport recorded at 6,065 and 342,127 passengers.
“Last year, after the Covid-19 period, the airport saw 37,366 aircraft going to Miri Airport with 2.2 million passengers,” he said.
Lee said that in 2019, there were 42,076 aircraft and 2.4 million passengers
