New Ipoh airport strategy

IPOH: The Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here will serve as a feeder airport to other airports in the region as it cannot compete with Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang and the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the state would have to redefine its strategy for the airport.

"We have to re-define our strategy... not competing, but as a feeder airport to link to other airports in the country and region to attract visitors and investors," he said after launching Silver Fly Sdn Bhd's website and privilege card at the Sultan Azlan Shah airport here yesterday.

Silver Fly is a low-cost carrier operating two ATR-72 aircraft from Berjaya Air to service their routes.

Currently, Silver Fly operates flights to Medan (twice a week), Kota Bharu (twice a week) and Subang (once a week). It will be flying to Singapore from April 1.

Silver Fly is the second airline to operate from the airport. Firefly flies from Ipoh to Singapore daily.

The company's executive chairman, Hasim Othman, said the airline was in talks to increase its routes to other countries.

Zambry said the airport's runway would also be extended with the RM60 million allocation approved by the Federal Government.

"I have spoken to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to speed up the work on the project. I do not know when work will start but it is a priority project for the state."

Silver Fly marketing executive Immie Noor Mariyani Mat Salle showing the special Silver Fly card at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh.

SOURCE: The New Straits Times | 17 March 2010 |