Sibu set to fly

0

SIBU: The Transport Ministry has been urged to grant more direct flights to Sibu to boost its air connectivity with the outside world.

ARE YOU READY?: Kong (left) performs the earth-breaking ceremony for the upgrading of Sibu Airport. He is joined by Wong (third left), Tiong (right) and others.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who made the call, said having a Sibu-Singapore direct flight, for instance, would do wonders for this riverine town.

Wong said, on their part, the relevant parties in Sibu were prepared to work hard to generate the required passenger load to make all direct flights economically feasible.

“I hope before that the Ministry of Transport can consider granting at least a few direct flights, say between Sibu and Singapore, as an incentive for us to work harder to create the (required passenger) load,” Wong said at the earth-breaking ceremony for the upgrading of Sibu Airport here yesterday.

In a rapid response to Wong’s request, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha told a press conference: “We will consider if the state government or his (Wong) Ministry can source any airline wanting to operate from Sibu to any destination, perhaps even overseas.

“We are willing to look into that.”

When asked if there would be any special condition for this to happen, Kong said basically it all boiled down to economic considerations.

He explained if a route was viable and profitable, airlines would be keen to service that route.

Earlier, Wong said Sibu airport would be playing an important role for many economic activities that would be generated in the next five to 10 years.

“This is because Sibu is the hub of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and is strategically located.”

Among those present were Assistant Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, Nangka assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King and Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie.