KKIA relocation plans still on
KOTA KINABALU: The government’s plans to move the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Kimanis in Papar are still on.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal yesterday disclosed this after he was asked to comment on Air Asia’s proposal to reopen KKIA2.
Shafie said Air Asia could probably use its previous base at KKIA2 on a short-term basis as the state government has plans to move KKIA to Kimanis.
He said the government would look at the Air Asia proposal to bring back its direct flights to Australia and other countries from KKIA and the airline’s willingness to sink in millions into KKIA2.
“They want to, if possible, use the old airport. But we also look at how in the short term maybe possible, but we also have plans to move this airport to Papar, Kimanis area.
“This is one of the subjects that we have to consider and they (Air Asia) have stated willingness to maybe even in these several years, they don’t mind to invest a few millions because they know the return will be there to attract a lot of passengers from other places,” he told the press after the UMS Logo and Motto on MAS wings Aircraft launch at KKIA here yesterday.
There was a proposal to relocate the KKIA to Kimanis but the government decided it was more economical to extend the present airport.
Sabah needs a new international airport before congestion becomes a serious problem at KKIA. Thirteen million passengers a year are expected to pass through the airport by 2021.
Fernandes in a press conference earlier this week said Air Asia was set to reopen KKIA2 and was confident it could generate traffic of almost double the amount of tourists the airline was currently bringing in to Sabah.
He further said the airport could reopen in six months or less, with an estimated budget of RM20 million for its reopening and refurbishment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew said there is no decision yet to reopen KKIA2.
Christina, who is also the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, pointed out that the proposal remained a proposal at the moment.
Even though Fernandes had met with Shafie, they did not make any decision on the proposal, she stressed when asked to comment on the negative public responses to the suggestion.
Those, who disagreed with the proposal, claimed that Terminal 2 was lacking in facilities, especially in terms of immigration clearance.
“If the proposal were to be realized, of course the facilities and amenities will have to be upgraded by either Air Asia or MAB. This goes without saying, but it is too early to say that the proposal will materialize,” Christina said.
“To me as the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, I welcome the proposal because if it means bringing in more tourists to Sabah then why not, but I can understand from the perspective of the public who are worried about the lack of facilities.
“Air Asia and MAB will have to work it out and it is not as easy as that because they must have the Chief Minister’s agreement first,” she stressed.