LET ME TRY IT: Wong (third right) tries the carousel machine at one of the check-in counters, while Lee (right) and others look on.
SIBU: The new check-in counters at Sibu Airport began operation yesterday, with Musyati Sdn Bhd technical advisor John Lee Chin Seng commenting that everything went smoothly.
SPANKING NEW: Passengers checking in at the new check-in counters.
“We have yet to give the counters the final touch-up,” he told reporters after briefing Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh on the project yesterday.
The new terminal building will have 18 check-in counters, eight immigration control points in the departure hall, six immigration control points in the arrival hall, nine security (X-ray) machines, four customs counters, two baggage reclaim carousels, two make-up carousels, and four passenger boarding bridges.
Lee said the new arrival hall was expected to be operational before the coming Chinese New Year.
“Our target is Jan 16. So, we have about three weeks to go.
“We would start renovating the main terminal building after the Chinese New Year.”
Meanwhile, Wong said the feeder road to the airport would be upgraded to a dual-carriage way.
“The project has been approved and work will begin soon, probably after the Chinese New Year.”
Early next year would be the best time to start the project as the rainy season would be over by then, he said.
Meanwhile, Lee proposed to upgrade the control tower and the Airport Rescue Station (ARS) as part of the beautification of the airport.
“We’ve also proposed to transform the hill in front of the car park into a garden.”
Package one of the project is 61.9 per cent completed, while package two, 47.55 per cent.
Also at the briefing was Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King.