MIRI: The Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS) is providing full cooperation and support for the expansion efforts of Miri Airport which has been planned since 2017 due to the urgent need to increase terminal capacity.
 
Its Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this is an effort that has long been championed to meet the growing needs of travellers in Miri City. 
 
According to him, this decision was made following discussions between Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg on the urgent need to expand the airport terminal which is currently operating beyond capacity.
 
At present, Miri Airport can only accommodate two million travellers annually, but in 2019 alone, the number of travellers nearly reached 2.5 million.
 
Therefore, the proposed expansion will increase Miri Airport's capacity to four million travellers per year with the addition of aerobridges and other facilities such as a larger check-in area.
 
"The expansion of facilities and the airport terminal is expected to attract more international flights to Miri, including from Singapore. Additionally, negotiations are currently underway with airlines in China for direct flights to Kuching and Miri.
 
"With a larger and more modern terminal, Miri City will be ready to welcome more international flights, further boosting the tourism industry and local economy,” he said.
He said this in a press conference on the approval of the Miri Airport Expansion Project here, on Sunday.
 
The Senadin Assemblyman added that MOTS will provide full cooperation with the federal Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to facilitate the expansion project.
 
Meanwhile, the amount proposed by MAHB for the expansion project is RM150 million, and it is expected to take two years to complete.
 
The project is crucial for the thriving city of Miri, especially as a resort hub, with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Miri, namely Mulu National Park and the Niah Caves. -UKASnews