KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here has the capacity to handle a maximum of 12 million passengers per annum after the renovation works.
Generally, the forecast has suggested that the present airport will last out within this five years, said Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) chief operating officer Azmir Zain.
“KKIA has handled 7.2 million passengers in 2016, today it has the capacity to handle nine million passengers per annum,” said Azmir during a media briefing on ‘MAVCOM Consumer Report and Industry Report-Waypoint’ at a hotel here yesterday.
“MAHB (Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad) explained to us with some adjustment and renovation done to the airport (KKIA), it can increase that capacity to 12 million passengers per year,” he disclosed.
“Beyond that, we understand that there are discussions between the federal and state governments. We leave it to them to make the announcement in due course,” said Azmir.
On other issue, he said the rural air services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak are under the purview of the Ministry of Transport.
“Air connectivity is a critical mode of transportation for Sabah and Sarawak. The federal government already had the RAS programme since independence.
“The federal government also developed the Pan Borneo Highway project connecting all the coastal cities in Sabah and Sarawak.
“But, the rural areas still depends on air connectivity, hence the RAS is emphasized,” he said. He said MAVCOM also introduced a valuation process for commercial licences for both schedule and non-schedule carriers and also for ground handlers.
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