KUALA LUMPUR: The planned RM442.3mil expansion of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is currently on hold due to land use issues, says Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
The Deputy Transport Minister said land use issues around the existing runway of the airport has caused the project to come to a standstill.
“For now, there are still a number of unresolved issues related to land use, particularly on a few spots around the existing airport’s runway and other areas that have yet to be finalised by the Sabah government.
“Allocation has already been designated but only once all land use issues are settled then can development begin,” Hasbi told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time on Wednesday (July 8).
He added that the Ministry is currently having active negotiations with the Sabah government to resolve the issue.
Announced back in November 2024, the KKIA airport development plan is currently planned for completion by mid-2028 and is expected to expand KKIA Terminal 1’s capacity to 12 million passengers per annum.
The plan would involve upgrades to the existing terminal building and pier extension (which includes a multi-storey carpark), and other infrastructure works.
Hasbi was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (BN-Putatan) on the status of KKIA’s planned expansion and upgrades to Tawau Airport.
