MUKAH: The Mukah short landing and take-off airport (Stolport) here which has existed for more than 50 years has its last operations today (June 16) with the last flight departing for Miri at 1.20pm.
Some 15 passengers boarded the twin otter aircraft in a historic last outgoing flight.
The last incoming flight was from Kuching with 10 passengers after the aircraft landed about 12.50pm.
Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo was among the people who witnessed the last day of operations.
It is learned that the new Mukah Airport at KM7 Jalan Mukah-Oya is set to start operations today (June 17).
It will welcome the first incoming flight from Miri (MH 3533) with estimated time of departure (ETD) at 8am and estimated time of arrival (ETA) at 9.10am.
The first outgoing flight (MH3412) will be to Kuching with ETD at 9.30am and ETA at 10.15am.
The RM435.9-million new airport, which was completed in April this year, has a 1,500-metre-long and 30-metre-wide runway, while the terminal building has an area of 3,500 square metres.
The airport terminal is capable of handling 204 passengers during peak hours compared to 40 passengers at the existing STOLPORT, which accommodates small aircrafts only such as Twin Otters.
