Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg speaking to reporters at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Sarawak will develop a new international airport here to cater to the growing air and passenger traffic, says Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said the state government was studying the matter as the present Kuching International Airport had exceeded its capacity.
"The current airport will not have sufficient facilities to cope with the increase in flights and passenger traffic.
"I feel it is time for us to look into developing a new airport," he told reporters after giving his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 15).
Abang Johari said the location of the proposed new airport would be announced later once it had been identified.
"It will be in Kuching. We want to be an aviation hub, not just for passengers but also cargo," he said.
He added that the state government would discuss the development of the new airport with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
"It depends on funding. We may develop it jointly with MAHB," he said.
In his speech earlier, Abang Johari said Sarawak was poised to become another aviation hub in South-East Asia with its impending takeover of MASwings Sdn Bhd.
"In this regard, we are planning to develop a new international airport in Kuching to support the growing aviation industry in Sarawak," he said.
