New international airport in the offing

THE state government is planning to develop a new international airport in Kuching to support the growing aviation industry in Sarawak.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the takeover of MASwings, Sarawak is poised to become another aviation regional hub for ASEAN. 

“Supported by a regulatory framework that promotes transparency, our ports and airports are vital drivers of regional development and global economic integration. 

“With our comprehensive enhancements of intermodal transportation and logistics network, Sarawak is poised to become a pivotal regional hub for connectivity within ASEAN,” he said.

He said this when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Wednesday (May 15).

Abang Johari said that the initiative is in line with the ASEAN Vision 2040, which aims to create a deeply integrated and highly cohesive ASEAN economy.

Following that, Abang Johari revealed that the reason for the new international airport is due to the increased number of passengers and insufficient amount of facilities.

“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.

When asked where the new airport would be located, Abang Johari said it would be announced at a later date.

Abang Johari who is the Minister of Finance and New Economy revealed that the new Kuching International Airport would be in Kuching and will not only cater for passengers but also for commercial cargo.

“It will be in Kuching, an international airport in Kuching because we want to be the hub.

“We are already a hub for seaports therefore (we would want to be a) hub for aviation,” he said when met by the media after the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting was adjourned sine die on Wednesday (May 15).

Abang Johari said that Sarawak will discuss with the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) depending on financial capability.

He added that the existing airport in Kuching may be turned into an airport for private jets.