KOTA KINABALU: After the latest closure of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) due to potholes on the runway, Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan says there is a dire need for a new international airport.
The Sabah STAR president said relevant authorities must immediately undertake the necessary action to build it, including identifying a suitable location for the new airport as the single runway KKIA was no longer practical to be used with increasing passenger traffic and direct flights.
“The Papar–Kimanis area neighbouring the state capital should be seriously considered and evaluated as part of the feasibility and site-selection process.
“The final location must be determined through comprehensive technical, environmental, economic and accessibility studies, taking into account Sabah’s long-term development needs,” he said Sunday (Sept 20).
He said the Sept 17 nine-hour closure of KKIA to allow for the repair and rectification of the airport’s runway was latest incident that should prompt immediate plan to push ahead with the long discussed need for a new airport to replace KKIA.
He said the closure affected at least 20 flights through delays, cancellations and diversions disrupting not only passengers but also businesses and economic activities dependent on reliable air connectivity, including hotels, airlines, tourism operators, traders, importers, exporters and investors.
He said international tourist arrivals were rising at a rapid pace with direct flights and KKIA’s present design capacity was nine million passengers annually.
“This capacity was already exceeded in 2019, when the airport handled approximately 9.4 million passengers.
“Although an upgrading project has been approved to increase KKIA’s annual capacity to 12 million passengers and provide additional facilities, the airport will remain dependent on a single runway.
“Increasing terminal capacity without addressing this fundamental weakness is inadequate. More passengers and additional flights will place even greater pressure on the existing runway," he said.
He said the expanded capacity and additional facilities would be meaningless whenever the sole runway has to be closed due to an emergency, security concerns, repair or rectification works, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
In the meantime, Kitingan said that the government must do whatever is necessary to ensure that KKIA can continue operating safely, efficiently and without major disruption.
“This should include urgently examining the feasibility of constructing a second runway or implementing any other suitable interim solution,” he added.
