KUCHING: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Malaysia is planning to upgrade Miri Airport to increase its passenger handling capacity from two million to three million a year.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the proposal had been submitted to the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department under the Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (MP12) for 2023 for consideration.
According to him, among the proposed scope of work is the expansion of the existing terminal building, improving the terminal area for Rural Air Services (RAS) passenger operations, increasing the number of check-in counters, introducing a new baggage handling system and upgrading facilities for passenger comfort.
“Among the upgrades are the addition of a new building, upgrading the RAS area, the addition of new check-in counters, areas for government agencies and airlines, signage and road markings, a new baggage handling system, the expansion and addition of the ‘Passenger Boarding Bridge’ to the Field Fly 4.0 which consists of passenger boarding coordination.
“These also include airport management system and network system, Common Use Self-Service Kiosk (CUSS), Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), Gate Detector (BGR) and Baggage Handling System (BRS) using the model concession.
“The cost to upgrade is estimated at RM60 million,” Hasbi was quoted as saying this in the parliamentary sitting on Wednesday according to a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
The Limbang MP said Miri Airport was so far only a feeder airport. However, it was capable of becoming an international airport if it could accept aircraft handling from international routes.
