RM445 mil Miri Airport upgrade project eyes 2030 completion

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 10: The RM445 million upgrade project for Miri Airport is expected to be completed by 2030, with construction works targeted to begin in April next year upon the contractor’s letter of award.

In a statement, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Chiew Choon Man said the project, which is under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), is vital as the airport seeks to increase its capacity for international flights.

Chiew, who is also Miri MP, said this followed a meeting today with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), during which he was briefed by its business growth general manager, Mohd Naszrien Nasir, on the project.

“The early site preparation works for the airport were completed earlier this year. This includes a soil investigation, a building survey, and a Value Assessment to optimise the project’s cost.

“Currently, the tender pre-qualification process has been carried out and will be followed by the value engineering lab session in August 2026. After that, the pre-bid process will be carried out with the tender briefing and clarification in October 2026.

“Finally, the letter of award is scheduled to be issued in April 2027 to carry out the actual construction works. The whole project is scheduled to be completed in 24 months,” he said.

The upgrade will include smart systems that will automate and digitalise the check-in and arrival processes, making it more convenient for passengers.

He added that the airport will also be further equipped to handle more international flights, with the development looking into clear segregation between international and domestic departures in line with international standards.

“The airport will also be upgraded into a two-level international airport, with designated lane arrivals and departures, akin to Kuching International Airport. Moreover, there will be dedicated facilities to handle rural air services,” he said.

Regarding the recent case of a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot who was detained at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport over the alleged smuggling of 25kg of drugs, he also urged MAHB further to tighten security measures at the departure and arrival gates, and to enhance security measures at all airports, especially domestic airports. Working closely together with the police is also highly important to curb such incidents.

The Miri Airport expansion will increase its capacity from two million to four million passengers per annum (MPPA), and the existing terminal floor area of 22,676 sqm will be expanded by an additional 5,046 sqm.

The number of check-in counters will also be increased from 15 to 24 counters, and there will be six additional boarding bridges, which will increase the existing number from three bridges to nine passenger boarding bridges. The airport will also adopt smart airport management systems, as at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Citing data by MAHB, he noted demand for direct international connectivity between Miri and several key regional destinations, particularly Jakarta in Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Bangkok in Thailand, which he said presents an important opportunity to strengthen further Miri’s position as the northern gateway to Sarawak and expand connectivity with major cities across Asean.

“I will work closely with MAHB, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), to actively engage and attract airlines to explore the viability of establishing these international routes to Miri.

“With the expansion of Miri Airport and our continued efforts to promote Miri and northern Sarawak as an international tourism destination, we will work hard to turn this potential demand into actual air connectivity and bring more international visitors directly to Miri,” he said.

Additionally, Chiew said he will organise a Mesra Malaysia campaign at the Miri Airport.

“Warm hospitality and friendliness should match world-class standards, and they apply to all levels of the service, from the front desk counters to passenger service, and also taxi services.

“There should be a greater awareness among all hospitality, tourism, and servicing staff and business operators to treat passengers coming to and leaving Miri with care,” he said. — DayakDaily

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