KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has announced plans to undertake detailed studies aimed at reviewing and upgrading rural airports, part of a broader strategy to strengthen air connectivity and prepare for the next stage of regional air services.
Minister for Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, said the initiative will focus on airstrips serving remote communities where road access remains limited.
Improvements under consideration include runway extensions and infrastructure upgrades to enhance safety and operational capacity.
Several rural airports fall under federal jurisdiction, and proposals for upgrading will be submitted to the Federal Government.
Among the projects already in progress is the extension of the runway at Bario Airport, scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
The upgrade will enable the airport to better accommodate twin-engine aircraft, improving connectivity for the highland community.
Currently, operations at some rural airports are constrained by short runways, which limit passenger loads despite aircraft being capable of carrying up to 90 passengers. Dato Sri Lee emphasised that addressing these limitations is crucial to improving efficiency and safety.
He explained that Sarawak’s aviation development is being rolled out in phases. The immediate priority is to strengthen rural air services, while the longer-term vision involves transitioning towards a regional airline.
“This next phase will require compliance with additional regulatory requirements, including changes to our air operator’s licence, and will involve detailed studies on aircraft types and operational models,” he said.
Speaking to the media after a launch ceremony at the VIP Terminal of Kuching International Airport, Dato Sri Lee stressed that decisions will be based on expert studies and professional assessments.
He added that no premature announcements will be made regarding aircraft selection or regional jet operations.
Highlighting inaugural flights earlier in the day, he noted that the Kuching-Mukah service carried 54 passengers, while the Kuching-Tanjung Manis route recorded 15 passengers.
He described these figures as encouraging for 2026, particularly for routes that play a vital role in connecting coastal and rural communities.
Dato Sri Lee also pointed out that Sarawak has long-term aspirations for expanding air services in areas such as Mukah, aligning with wider development and connectivity goals.
The event was attended by several senior officials, including Deputy Minister for Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Sarawak Datu Wong Hee Sieng, alongside other distinguished guests.
The government’s commitment to upgrading rural airports reflects its broader ambition to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and lay the groundwork for Sarawak’s emergence as a regional aviation hub.
