Runway upgrade proposed as Mulu Airport traffic exceeds capacity

MIRI (March 13): Passenger traffic at Mulu Airport has more than doubled its designed annual capacity, prompting discussions on a runway expansion to sustain growing tourism at Gunung Mulu National Park.

Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala said the airport terminal was originally built to handle around 50,000 passengers a year, but recorded over 71,000 arrivals in 2025 alone.

“The existing runway stretches approximately 1,507 metres, and upgrading it has become necessary to accommodate larger aircraft and higher traffic volumes as the park’s popularity grows,” the Mulu assemblyman said in a Facebook post.

Gerawat said he had earlier chaired a meeting in Kuching with representatives from the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad to advance the proposal.

He also expressed appreciation for the agencies’ commitment to carrying out rehabilitation and upgrading works to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

However, he noted that the main challenge lies in the logistical aspect of bringing heavy machinery and construction materials into the remote Mulu area, which is located far inland.

“Therefore, this meeting focused on discussing the best methods to ensure the transportation process and project implementation can be carried out more effectively,” he said.

Representatives from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and the state Transport Ministry were also present at the discussions, which centred on ensuring the project could be implemented effectively to support the area’s continued tourism growth.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park is among Sarawak’s most celebrated eco-tourism destinations, known for its towering limestone karst formations, vast cave systems and exceptional biodiversity.