KUALA LUMPUR: The new Mukah Airport in Sarawak has opened today, following a successful operational readiness and airport transfer trial last month.
The RM300million airport would replace all the functions of the previous Mukah short take-off and landing air strip (STOLport), said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
The new terminal will be able to accommodate up to 200 passengers at any one time compared to the STOLport that could only handle 67 passengers.
At 3,120 square metres, the terminal can cater up to 264,000 passengers per annum.
As for the new runway, it is 1.5km in length which is suitable for turboprop and helicopter operations.
It can also be potentially extended for larger jet airliners, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 in the future.
Mukah Airport is expecting its first flight to arrive from Miri and another departing flight to Kuching today.
MSHB group chief executive officer Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said the airport would help to further boost the connectivity of the coastal town and its surrounding areas in Sarawak.
"This is both timely and crucial especially during this challenging pandemic period for the delivery of essential supplies like medicine, food, basic supplies to the remote areas of the country," he said in a statement.
"As part of brand promise and service delivery, we aspire to connect the rural communities throughout the country," he added.
Currently in Sarawak, MAHB operates eight other STOLports which are key socio-economic contributors.
With an upgraded status as a domestic airport, Mukah Airport can now serve more people and strengthen the town's prospects in contributing to the local economic development."
The airport is also equipped with 100 parking bays, 20 taxi parking bays, 20 motorcycle parking bays and two bus parking bays.
