Upgrade for old runway

ROMPIN, 28 Mac -- Juruterbang Barry Foster mengendali pesawat ringan jenis Dromader membuat pertunjukan ketika merasmikan majlis Pecah Tanah Pembinaan Semula Landasan Terbang (Airstrip) Lanjut yang dirasmikan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin yang juga Anggota Parlimen Rompin hari ini. Pembinaan semula landasan terbang bagi menggalakkan aktiviti pelancongan terkenal di Daerah Rompin seperti Pulau Tioman.--fotoBERNAMA (2017) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

ROMPIN: An abandoned runway in Lanjut here will be back in operation by the end of this year after being upgraded by a private aviation company.

Rompin MP Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin said the runaway had been abandoned since its owner, a coal mining company, ceased operations in 1960.

Hasan said it was timely for the runway to be restored to boost tourism as Rompin was quite far from the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan.

The upgraded runway could also cater to Pulau Tioman-bound flights which would only take 20 minutes.

“This provides an alternative for small groups of tourists to travel to the island without having to take a ferry.

“During the monsoon season, the ferry services from Mersing and Tanjung Gemuk are closed because of strong waves.

Hasan launching the groundbreaking ceremony at the airstrip.

“The flight services from the Lanjut runway can be an alternative form of transport,” Hasan said after the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrading work here on March 28.

Also present were state Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain, Tourism Pahang general manager Datuk Ishak Mokhtar and Systematic Aviation Services (SAS) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ismail Asha’ari.

Ismail said the upgrading works, which started two years ago, had entered its third stage and the runway was ready to receive light aircraft.

“Phase four involves the construction of a lounge and hangar for aircraft maintenance. The project should be fully completed in 2019.”

The runway could accommodate a 12-seater plane and the upgrading cost RM8mil.

Mohd Sharkar said Rompin had a number of products to draw tourists including the International Royal Billfish Competition, Sultan Ahmad Shah Tioman International Eco Challenge competition and the Taman Negeri Endau-Rompin park’s activities.

He added that flights from Batam Island, Pekan Baru, Indonesia and Singapore could land in Lanjut, which would boost foreign tourist arrivals.

He said a flight from Singapore will take about 30 minutes and a few minutes longer from Batam Island.