KUCHING: The Miri Airport terminal expansion project is set to begin next year with an allocation of RM150mil.
The fund for the project has been secured from the federal government, according to Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim approved the project during his recent visit to Miri, saying that the terminal expansion is justifiable as the number of airport users had increased by about 90% from 2023.
Miri Airport serves as the gateway to Northern Sarawak. Known as the oil city, Miri is situated near popular tourist attractions, including Mulu National Park, a Unesco world heritage site, and the famous Niah Caves, home to Asia’s oldest human remains, dating back 40,000 years.
Lee noted that in 2019, Miri Airport recorded nearly 2.5 million passengers, surpassing its capacity and proving inadequate for current and future needs.
He said despite the Sarawak government’s efforts to prioritise the project and years of discussions with the federal government, it had yet to be implemented.
On the Kuching International Airport, Lee said the state government, in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd, had submitted a proposal seeking RM71mil in funding from the federal government to enhance the airport’s facilities.
In 2023, it was reported that the Kuching International Airport handled more than 5.32 million passengers and 45,598 flights, exceeding its capacity of five million passengers annually.
In May, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (pic) announced plans for a new Kuching Airport to cater to the growing air and passenger traffic, as the current airport lacks sufficient facilities to cope with the increasing number of flights.
Abang Johari stated that the proposed new airport will be able to accommodate 15 million passengers annually, tripling the current terminal’s capacity.
It will be equipped with the latest technology and seamless infrastructure.
While acknowledging that the construction costs for the new airport may be substantial, he said the state government is committed to ensuring it is a worthwhile investment.
According to Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the new airport project is in the evaluation phase, with a preliminary study underway.
He noted that multiple sites are being evaluated, considering critical factors like surrounding terrains, wind conditions and the airport’s strategic positioning.
The new airport project is expected to take three to five years to complete.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari compared Sarawak’s development with that of Dubai, which has transformed drastically over the past 25 to 30 years.
“Dubai was just a desert in the past but with foresight, they established the Emirates Airline and attracted tourists, becoming a thriving international hub.
“We in Sarawak have the advantage of natural resources, a united society and the ability (of Sarawakians) to speak multiple languages.
“If Dubai can do it, I am sure Sarawak can too,” he said.
The Sarawak government plans to set up its own boutique airline following the acquisition of MASwings, expected to be finalised by year-end.
The new airline, to be named later, is expected to be operational in 2025.
MASwings focuses on rural air services routes within Sarawak and Sabah.
According to Abang Johari, the Sarawak airline aims to adopt a business model similar to Emirates Airline, offering lower airfares compared to other carriers, with the goal of becoming a regional airline.
