KUCHING: Improvement works are ongoing at Kuching International Airport (KIA), including toilet renovations and designated waiting areas for e-hailing passengers.
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said an e-hailing waiting area in front of the arrivals hall was recently completed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), while a second area was being constructed by Grab.
"The airport will eventually have two waiting areas for the convenience of passengers. They no longer have to queue up outside to wait for their rides," he told reporters after a working visit to the airport on Wednesday (Jan 21).
Lee said his ministry was also proposing waiting and queueing areas for e-hailing cars at KIA to ensure smoother traffic flow.
"Nowadays more passengers are using e-hailing services, so we have to provide facilities for them," he said.
Lee also said MAHB upgraded 11 toilets at KIA last year, with two more currently undergoing renovation and another 10 to be renovated this year. In addition, he said the signage and flight display boards had been improved to be more visible.
Another improvement is tinting the glass walls at the boarding areas to reduce heat, which was completed two weeks ago.
"On top of that, MAHB briefed us that they are going to have a kids' corner at Level 3 where children can play. They will also put up iconic walls at the arrival and departure halls where passengers can take photographs," Lee said.
He said his ministry would continue working closely with MAHB to improve KIA to meet passenger growth and expectations. KIA handled 5.7 million passengers last year, exceeding its full capacity of five million.
"The number of passengers is growing and we expect more this year with Visit Malaysia 2026," Lee said.
