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| A view of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. |
State Federal Development Department director Datuk Yahaya Mamat said the project, which costs RM483 million, would be completed in three years.
“This is one of the high-impact projects for Kelantan under the 11th Malaysia Plan.”
He said the Federal Government wanted Kelantan to be as developed as other states, and hoped that this project would bring a positive impact to the state.
“Under this project, Sultan Ismail Petra Airport will transform from a normal airport to an inter-national one. We expect to attract more investors to the state following its completion.”
He said the project’s upgrading work includes the establishment of a new terminal to cater to a higher visitor capacity, installation of an inline baggage-handling system, a passenger boarding bridge and a Visual Docking Guidance System.
Besides that, he said, new parking areas for aircraft and lounges for VVIPs and VIPs would be built, and the rescue station upgraded.
“In 2015, the airport received 2.06 million passengers, exceeding its capacity of 1.5 million passengers a year.
“This caused congestion,” he said, adding that the Fe-deral Government hoped that the upgrades would solve these problems.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had reportedly said the airport’s upgrading work and extension was important to transform it.
He said the Federal Government hoped that an upgraded airport would attract more passengers, especially from southern Thailand.
Civil servant Nur Izhar Salimi Mohd Makhtar, 27, said Kelantan would receive more visitors, especially from foreign countries, once the extension of the airport was completed.
“This project will boost the state’s economy by attracting foreign investors.
“It will contribute to the state’s development. So, it is not impossible that one day, Kota Baru will become a big city like Kuala Lumpur.”
Trader Mohd Amin Moqshid Azmi, 27, said Kelantan would no longer be called an underdeveloped state once the international airport was ready.
He said the project would reduce his travel expenses to overseas destinations, especially China.
“I have to travel to China regularly for business. Once a direct flight to China from here is established, I can save money and time as l will no longer need to transit at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.”
He said this project would benefit online traders as they could get their items directly from overseas suppliers.
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| Note: Please click on the graphic above for more details. |
Source: New Straits Times | 3 April 2018
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