by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 25: The upgrading works for the Bario Short Take-Off and Landing (STOLport), aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and safety, is progressing ahead of schedule, with 30.46 per cent of the work completed, exceeding the original target of 26.63 per cent.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim said, in addition to the existing upgrading scope, the Ministry is also seeking additional funding from the Federal government to further enhance the facility.
Proposed additions include the construction of an extended dual-purpose aircraft parking apron that can accommodate two DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft and two EC175 helicopters, as well as a new connecting taxiway.
“Other proposals include paving the parking area in front of the terminal building for user convenience and beautifying the overall appearance of the airport. These improvements are seen as an important complement for the Bario STOLport to achieve a more efficient and comfortable level of operation,” he said.
The Bario STOLport upgrading project is being implemented with an allocation of more than RM20 million, fully funded by the Federal government through the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia.
The main scope of the project involves the extension of the existing runway from 671 metres to 930 meters with a width of 18 meters, to enable aircraft to take off with full load including luggage.
“Once the upgrading works including the extension and resurfacing of the runway are completed, the aircraft weight limit and the number of passengers can be increased.
“This will enable the Twin Otter aircraft to carry a full capacity of 19 passengers safely, thus providing great benefits to the rural community in Bario,” Lee said in a statement after a site visit to the Bario STOLport yesterday.
The project, which started on September 4, 2024, is expected to be completed on March 3, 2026, with a contract period of 18 months.
The project also includes the resurfacing of the original runway to improve surface durability and safety, the construction of a new clearway to improve performance during takeoff, the installation of new perimeter fences for area safety, as well as the installation of wind indicators and a new Meteorological Automatic Weather System (AWS) to assist with weather monitoring and flight planning.
Meanwhile, addressing flight schedule limitations, especially during peak periods such as the Nukenen Festival and Christmas, Lee said he will work with Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala to explore ways to increase flight frequencies and passenger capacity.
This include exploring the possibility of increased flight frequencies as a measure to strengthen the air transport network to the Bario area. – DayakDaily
