KUCHING: The Transport Ministry (MOT) have set aside RM5 million to equip the second Simplified Approach Lighting System (SALS) at Kuching International Airport (KIA)’s Runway 07.
Once in place, the system would enable approaching aircraft to land from each opposite end of the runway, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“This is a very important project as we can fully optimise the usage of the KIA’s runway,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Earlier, the minister was briefed by representatives from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and the state Civil Aviation Department (DCA) in a closed-door session.
According to Liow, the SALS on the left side of the Runway 07 would provide aircraft an added option to land in the event of a diversion.
The system, he said, would also enable the airport to facilitate more aircraft as landings could be managed more efficiently and conveniently.
“Planes will also not need to make a big turn in the air to approach the airport’s runway.”
On the project’s announcement, Liow also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the state government’s effort, led by Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, in acquiring the land for the project.
The project would take off this August and be completed by next July. The ministry, he said, would be calling out for an open tender sometime next month.
On the RM341 million new Mukah Airport, Liow said its construction had already entered Phase 1.
This involves land-clearing and earth-filling works, which should complete in April this year, before Phase 2 starts.
Meanwhile, Liow disclosed that the government had agreed to extend the contracts for the nation’s Rural Air Services (RAS), operated by MASwings Sdn Bhd, for another seven years.
“The federal government will also be providing a subsidy of RM190 million each year (for RAS),” said Liow of the additional RM30 million, from the current subsidy value of RM160 million.
However the contract, he added, would only commence in 2018 as the current one with MASwings — a RAS unit under Malaysia Airlines — would only expire next year.
Liow, MOT secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kassim and DCA director-general Dato Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman were greeted by Manyin and SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.