KKIA needs an upgrade, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: With tourist arrivals surging in the state, the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is in urgent need of an upgrade, says Datuk Hajiji Noor.

The Sabah Chief Minister brought up the need for urgent attention on upgrading services and facilities at the country’s second busiest airport – after Kuala Lumpur International Airport – during a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

The matter was discussed when the leaders met at Menara Kinabalu here on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office yesterday.

“It is imperative for the facilities and services at KKIA to be improved and upgraded as it is the second busiest airport in the country,” Hajiji said in the statement.The issue of upgrading KKIA or shifting the airport to either the neighbouring districts of Tuaran or Kimanis has been discussed following numerous complaints about services and poor facilities at the state’s main airport.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said the Federal Government was prepared to build a new terminal to meet Sabah’s growing passenger arrivals at KKIA.