BATU GAJAH: The state government hopes the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) in Ipoh will become a regional air travel hub after upgrading works are completed.
State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the airport's runway size qualified to cater for regional flights using the Airbus A320 and A319 or long-haul flights of between three and five hours.
He said the proposed plan has been submitted to the Transport Ministry and Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for research and until now, approvals regarding flights, arrivals and departures at LTSAS need to come from the ministry.
"Before this, there were many opinions given about this airport's status saying that flights in LTSAS cannot fly far. It only applies to the Boeing 737 aircraft, but now there are many flight operators in the region using the Airbus A320 and A319.
"So that's why the state government suggests that LTSAS in Ipoh should be upgraded to a regional airport. Our passenger target may not be the same as the airport in Penang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
"So for Ipoh (LTSAS), we hope we can get flights that are close to the Asian region. That is more than sufficient," he told reporters after opening the Dinosaur Theme Park at Silverlakes Village Outlet here today.
He also said discussions were held with several industry players in Thailand to create new direct flight routes between LTSAS and the country and so far, they have received a positive response from Thailand.
On Oct 29, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry received the application from the state government on the proposal to upgrade the LTSAS airport terminal. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/972627/transport-ministry-ado...)
Loke added that there was interest from the private sector in a public-private partnership (PPP) for LTSAS but any proposals or suggestions must get approval from the MAHB.
On the proposal to build a new international airport in Seri Iskandar, Loh said it would take a long period to develop such a project.
"It is the state government's dream to have an international airport in Seri Iskandar, but it will take quite a long time, maybe another 15 years. Maybe 20 years. We don't even know," he said.