Sarawak planning new Kuching airport to future-proof aviation for next 30–50 years

Lee delivering his keynote address themed “Building a Future-Ready Aviation Ecosystem for Sarawak” at the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Jan 27, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Jan 27: Sarawak is planning a proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) as part of a long-term strategy to future-proof its aviation sector for the next 30 to 50 years, rather than simply building a larger terminal, said Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Lee said the feasibility study currently underway for NKIA is aimed at positioning Sarawak’s aviation ecosystem to meet future capacity needs, accommodate new aircraft technologies, and embed sustainability and resilience from the outset.

“We must ask what capacity Sarawak will require in the decades ahead, how we design for future aircraft technologies, and how sustainability and resilience are embedded from the outset,” he said.

Lee was delivering his keynote address at the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

He stressed that aviation is a necessity for Sarawak due to its vast geography and dispersed population, serving as a critical link for rural and remote communities to access essential services, while also supporting trade, tourism and investment.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Sarawak’s airports handled more than 10 million passengers annually, underscoring the aviation sector’s importance to the state’s economy, he said.

Lee further noted that the proposed NKIA is envisioned as the anchor of an integrated aerotropolis, supporting aviation-related industries such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aerospace manufacturing, logistics, as well as training and certification services.

He said airport planning must anticipate future developments in aircraft technology, digitalisation and sustainability, rather than responding to constraints after they arise.

“Global experience shows that successful airports evolve into aviation-centred economic ecosystems, not standalone terminals,” he added.

Lee also highlighted Sarawak’s commitment to sustainability, pointing to the state’s potential in sustainable aviation fuel, energy-efficient airport design and low-emission operations, which he said should be embedded as a core condition for long-term competitiveness.

In addition, he cited Sarawak’s strategic strengths, including its network of Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) airstrips and the establishment of AirBorneo following the acquisition of MASwings, to enhance regional and rural air connectivity.

“Aviation connects rural communities to healthcare and education, supports tourism, trade and investment, and underpins emergency response and disaster resilience,” he said.

On regional connectivity, he said Sarawak’s strategic location within the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) makes aviation a cornerstone of regional integration.

“The future of aviation will favour those who plan early, invest wisely and collaborate openly,” he said, adding that Sarawak has chosen to build for the long term. — DayakDaily