Lee (centre), flanked by Ting (left) and Kamaruzaman at the press conference in Sibu Airport.
THE new Federal Government has been requested to upgrade airport facilities in Sarawak.
The airports are in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Sibu, said Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Calling for special attention to the state’s requests, he said previous requests for upgrades had not been approved.
Lee cited Miri Airport, which receives eight flights weekly from Singapore, as an example.
“Miri is a major revenue generator in terms of oil and gas,” he said, adding that the airport was running at full capacity.
The airport, he added, needed more aerobridges and better aprons.
“New aerobridges are also needed for Bintulu Airport as the current ones are prone to breakdown,” he said during a press conference in Sibu Airport prior to the arrival of the inaugural AirAsia flight from Singapore.
Also present at the press conference were Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd senior general manager Kamaruzaman Razali and Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting.
Sibu Airport, Lee said, would be allocated RM8mil to upgrade its facilities.
As for Kuching International Airport, he said the boarding area at Gate 7 needed improvement.
Lee also called on airlines flying to Sarawak to increase their flight frequency during festive seasons.
“They should offer reasonable airfare especially during Christmas and Chinese New Year periods.
“This will help lighten families’ financial burden while encouraging tourism.
“My ministry will continue to have regular engagements with aviation authorities to improve air connectivity,” he said.
