KUCHING, 20 May 2026 — The Sarawak government is moving forward with an ambitious long-term infrastructure plan that will see the development of the New Kuching International Airport (NKIA), which is expected to begin operations with an initial capacity of 15 million passengers annually.
The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg today stressed that serious emphasis is being placed on the integrated development of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub (KLCH) masterplan. He said the plan is a key catalyst for Sarawak’s future economic growth, trade expansion, and improved regional connectivity.
According to him, the NKIA project forms a major pillar of the KLCH masterplan. The new airport is designed as a future-ready aviation hub that will support the state’s expanding economic activities while strengthening both international and regional air links. The development is also expected to improve passenger movement, cargo handling, and aviation-related services across Sarawak.
The Premier explained that the airport will not remain static in its capacity. While the initial phase is planned to handle 15 million passengers per year, provisions have already been made for future expansion. He stated that the long-term planning framework allows the airport to be progressively upgraded to accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually, depending on demand and growth.
Beyond passenger services, NKIA is also expected to play an important role in strengthening Sarawak’s air cargo logistics sector. It is further expected to support the development of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, which are seen as high-value industries capable of creating skilled jobs and attracting new investments into the state.
In addition, the proposed deep-sea port at Tanjung Embang has been highlighted as another key component under the KLCH framework. The port is expected to improve maritime logistics efficiency, support larger cargo volumes, and encourage industrial development in the surrounding growth corridor.
Together, the NKIA and the Tanjung Embang deep-sea port are positioned as major infrastructure pillars that will help transform Sarawak into a competitive regional logistics and industrial hub. The government believes these developments will strengthen Sarawak’s role in regional and global supply chains while supporting its long-term goal of becoming a high-income, innovation-driven economy.
As the KLCH masterplan progresses, the NKIA is set to become a central driver of Sarawak’s aviation and economic transformation, reflecting the state’s continued focus on sustainable development, improved connectivity, and forward-looking infrastructure planning.
