KOTA BARU: The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport here is set to soar to become a regional hub for international flights after the upgrading of the runway and other facilities at a cost of RM45mil. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the runway had been extended from 1,981m to 2,400m, which could accommodate Airbus 320 and Boeing 737-800 series aircraft. Several new taxiways have also been constructed to accommodate more aircraft, while facilities have been created for helicopter parking services and rescheduled visual docking guidance system.
Aiming high: Kong (right) visiting the site of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport project in Pengkalan Chepa yesterday. Also present was airport manager Jefry Ramli (left). — Bernama“I am happy to note that the project is going on schedule since works started in June last year.
“The project is almost completed, and it will be operational by Sept 9,” he told reporters after being briefed on the project by Malaysia Airports Berhad officials at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport here yesterday. Kong said the runway needed to be expanded to accommodate bigger commercial aircraft. He added that the better facilities would make the airport a regional hub for direct flights to Singapore or South Thailand.
“My ministry welcomes plans by any airline to start direct flights from anywhere because the airport here is ready to take in more traffic,” he said. “This airport is ready for international flights from Asean countries. At the same time it can generate economic activities for locals in the tourism and transport sectors,” he added. Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia and FireFly make an average of five to 10 flights each from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru daily.
-thestar online.
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