By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 8: Expansion works on MASKargo’s warehouse facility at Kuching International Airport (KIA) are now underway and are expected to be completed by April 2026, says the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS).
In a media release issued today, the ministry said that the move is set to boost Sarawak’s air freight handling capacity significantly.
As of May this year, KIA has already handled 22,557,173kg of cargo, with 90.3 per cent being domestic and 9.7 per cent international.
In terms of aircraft movements, KIA recorded 18,872 flights from January to May this year, comprising 91 per cent domestic and nine per cent international, including cargo, private jets, and chartered and ferry flights.
The RM2.5 million project, fully funded by MASKargo, will see the current cargo handling space expanded from 33,000 square feet to 45,000 square feet, allowing for greater efficiency in processing both domestic and international shipments.
“This initiative comes after the ministry engaged with local logistics, forwarding associations, and industry players for two years, who had raised concerns over cargo congestion at KIA.
“Following these discussions, the ministry promptly liaised with relevant agencies to seek solutions, leading to the current expansion plan,” it said.
Its minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who visited the airport recently, said that the Sarawak government fully supports efforts to strengthen airport logistics infrastructure and is committed to working closely with federal agencies and aviation stakeholders.
The visit was a follow-up of the meeting with Malaysia Airport Holding management last year, where he highlighted several issues and problems raised by users of the airport and cargo facilities.
During the visit, Lee was briefed on ongoing and upcoming enhancement works at KIA. He noted that during his visit to KIA last year, several issues and concerns were raised and conveyed to the relevant authorities.
These were met with positive response and follow-up actions, and many of the proposed enhancement works are now well underway, including:
- RM50.8 million facility upgrade project, includes sliding doors, re-tilling works, toilet and prayer rooms refurbishment, air-handling units (AHUs), and chillers refurbishment, which are expected to be completed by December this year.
- RM4.6 million cargo parking area project, including spaces for trucks, cars, motorcycles, and support facilities such as toilets and waste disposal zones —targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2026.
- Construction of family-friendly amenities such as a new nursing room and children’s play zones.
- Re-tiling works at the International Departure Level 3, kerbside congestion management upgrades, and the creation of a designated waiting/drop-off area for e-hailing services.
- Plans for a visual icon wall to promote Kuching’s identity as a destination and photo landmark.
— DayakDaily
