The first test of the aircraft's landing at STOLport Bearing was successful.

SPAOH, 18 September: The first flight landing test at Bebuling Short Runway Airport (STOLport) here, today, was successfully carried out, thus marking the completion of construction of the facility.

Sarawak Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embassy said the next focus is on providing the necessary facilities to enable the STOLport to operate.

He said that the full operational date for STOLport has not been set and will be decided after further discussions, including regarding commercial flight arrivals.

"It can be said that this airport is ready. The plane landed safely and we in Betong were very happy because this also reflects the efforts of the Sarawak government.

"Prime Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has pledged to build an airport in the Betong Division and today we can see for ourselves that promise come true", he said after witnessing the first flight landing test at STOLport.

Uggah said the RM248 million STOLport would have dual functions, including for cargo operations as well as receiving more flights, especially to support the tourism sector.

He said, the Concrete Section has a variety of historical locations and tourism products that have the potential to be highlighted as an attraction for foreign tourists.

He said the development of large-scale projects in the area, including agro gardens as well as gathering, processing and packaging centres, is also expected to complement the economic ecosystem in Central Zone Sarawak.

Uggah said STOLport is also expected to be the main gateway to tourist areas like Batang Ai, in addition to shortening travel time from Kuching.

"Our hope is that this airport will be a public gateway to the province, including Batang Ai.

"We can see the number of tourists increasing and we are very confident that this airport will bring in more people because it was only 15 minutes from Kuching to Bebuling, compared with about three hours by car.

"It's a good incentive for tour operators to bring their tourists to this airport", he said. -TVS