KUCHING: Two new rural airports will be built in Sarawak to boost economic development and connectivity.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing said construction work on Bukit Mabong Airport in Kapit and Bebuling Airport in Spaoh was expected to commence soon and take 36 months to complete.
Both airports are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
“Bukit Mabong has been identified as a new rural air services route under the Malaysian Aviation Commission.
“The site is aptly selected as it is remote, sparsely populated with a population of approximately 50,000 and with significant accessibility issues, ” Masing said in a statement.
Bebuling, meanwhile, was selected based on input from various stakeholders to improve air connectivity with a key agropolitan centre in the Bukit Sadok area.
“This will help in the transportation of agricultural produce for export from the area, ” Masing said.
He said the RM173.5mil Bukit Mabong Airport would have a 790m-long runway to accommodate Twin Otter passenger aircraft and Cessna 208 aircraft with a three-tonne load.
On the Bebuling Airport, he said it would cost RM91.4mil and serve cargo carriers. — By SHARON LING
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