KUCHING Feb 16: The Ministry of Transport plans to upgrade Miri Airport to be able to accommodate three million passengers a year, a 50 per cent increase from its present 2-milion passenger capacity.
In a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, its deputy minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the upgrade was proposed to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department for consideration under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) Third Rolling Plan for 2023.
According to Hasbi, the scope of work proposed includes expanding the current terminal building, enhancing the rural air service passenger terminal, adding check-in counters, introducing a new baggage handling system and upgrading facilities to provide comfort for passengers.
“The cost to upgrade these is expected to be RM60 million,” he revealed during the parliamentary sitting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Feb 15).
Hasbi, who is also the Limbang MP, pointed out that Miri Airport is a ‘feeder airport’ and could be used as an international airport if it gets to handle international flights passing through.
“Miri Airport only receives Scoot, and it cannot fully handle a lot more.
“But this plan can only be done if there is enough capacity; therefore it (upgrade) must be considered,” he said. — DayakDaily
