Wednesday, December 6

Additional RM10 mln for Sandakan Airport upgrade

0

SANDAKAN: Malaysia Airports Berhad has been allocated an additional RM10 million by the Federal Government in its effort to upgrade the Sandakan Airport for the comfort of air travellers.

According to its chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz bin Wan Abdullah, the additional allocation of RM10 million would be used, among others, to construct additional parking bays, enhance the landscape of the terminal building and replacing two unit of ‘aerobridge’ and the visual docking guidance system.

“Apart from that, the baggage handling system will be replaced and the seating capacity at departure areas and waiting lounge will be increased. To further improve safety measures, new fences covering about 7 kilometres surrounding the airport will be installed,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the launching ceremony of the Sandakan Airport upgrading project here at Mile 7 yesterday, Wan Abdul Aziz said, the airport is due for upgrading as it is now handling some 834,626 passengers, an increase of 5.8% from 2011, and is set to further grow in the future.

Earlier this year, Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, had announced the Federal Government’s allocation of RM70 million to upgrade the Sandakan Airport.

The upgrading project would entail the expansion of the terminal building by 3,000 sq metres, the improvement of facilities at the departure areas and waiting lounge, immigration counters, bag scanning area and increasing the number of parking bays and the installation of air-conditioning system for the entire building.

Meanwhile, commenting on the upgrading development of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Wan Abdul Azizi said, the implementation has reached 90 percent and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The launching ceremony was attended by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Senior General Manager of Operation Services, Datuk Azmi Haji Murad, General Manager of Malaysia Airports Sendirian Berhad (MASB), Haji Zainal Mohd Isa and Manager of Sandakan Airport, Awang Mali Awang Anak.

At the ceremony, Wan Abdul Aziz also presented best service awards to four Sandakan Airport’s staff.