‘Refurbished Bario STOLport benefits 7,500 residents’
BARIO: The newly refurbished Short Take- Off and Landing airport (STOLport) in Bario will benefit nearly 7,500 residents from over 40 villages in the Bario District, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd ( MAHB) acting group chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin.
“With the upgrading of Bario STOLport, industry- based job opportunities can be created for locals such as lawn mowing contracts, cleaning of airport drains, project works and terminal cleaning awarded to local companies in Bario.
“In addition, canteen operations and kiosks selling downstream industrial products will also be given to locals,” he said at the launching ceremony of Bario STOLport’s new terminal building here yesterday.
“Local People’s Volunteer Corps ( Rela) also helps to carry out Aviation Security tasks (Avsec) and Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS),” he added.
According to Raja Azmi, the Bario STOLport has been in operation since 1996 and much has been achieved with the STOLport, especially to local people.
“In addition to connecting the locals as well as outsiders to the interior, the STOLport also serves as one of Malaysia Airports’ ways to give back to the community through our corporate social responsibility programme.
With the upgrading of Bario STOLport, industry-based job opportunities can be created for locals such as lawn mowing contracts, cleaning of airport drains, project works and terminal cleaning awarded to local companies in Bario.
“With the frequency of flights to Bario after the upgrade, I believe the eco- tourism sector will grow rapidly and at the same time, economic standards will increase as well, as this helps to create more employment opportunities for Bario residents,” he said.
The facilities upgraded at the Bario STOLport terminal building include a more comfortable waiting area for passengers, additional motorcycle parking spaces as well as upgrading of its indoor and outdoor structures. Raja Azmi revealed that the upgrading of the Bario STOLport will increase the handling of aircraft from 21 to 28 aircraft per week.
“I would also like to note the STOLport in Bario has reached an increase of 4.4 per cent in terms of passenger traffic in 2017 to 25,100 people compared to 24,080 people the previous year,” he disclosed.
Raja Azmi noted that all 18 STOLports operating in Malaysia are located in remote areas as well as areas that are hard to reach through land transport networks.
“In addition to no Passenger Service Charge ( PSC) for about 165,000 passengers, STOLports in most remote areas also save travelling time. This is achieved with cooperation from MASwings Sdn Bhd.
“Now passengers to Bario only need to take a 50- minute f light from Miri compared to land trips that takes nearly 12 hours,” he added.
Also present were MASwings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Aminuddin Zakaria, senior managers of Malaysia Ariports, STOLport Bario staff and local residents.
Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin, MAHB acting group chief executive officer