SANDAKAN: The need to upgrade Sandakan Airport has become increasingly urgent following the rise in passenger traffic and economic growth in Sabah’s east coast.
Elopura Assemblyman, Calvin Chong said the airport’s facilities must be improved to ensure better comfort for users while supporting the growth of the tourism, trade and investment sectors in Sandakan.
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He said this after receiving a courtesy visit from Malaysia Airports Sdn. Bhd. recently at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly building in Kota Kinabalu.
According to him, Sandakan Airport serves as one of the main gateways to Sabah’s east coast and plays an important role in the daily affairs of the people as well as the region’s economic activities.
“The upgrading of this airport is no longer an option but a necessity for the comfort of the people and the overall development of Sandakan,” he said.
During the meeting, various issues related to the airport’s development and improvement were discussed, including the condition of existing facilities, passenger terminal capacity, passenger management systems, parking facilities, safety aspects and traffic flow.
Calvin said many users, particularly Sandakan residents, have long hoped for improvements at the airport, including more comfortable waiting areas, adequate public facilities and more efficient operational systems.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic and international flight connectivity to Sandakan in order to boost the local economy and attract more investment to Sabah’s east coast.
According to him, Sandakan holds great potential in the tourism, fisheries and trade sectors, making a modern and efficient air transport system essential in supporting the area’s development.
He expressed hope that all proposals discussed with Malaysia Airports Sdn. Bhd. would be seriously considered and implemented in stages for the benefit of the people.
At the same time, he urged the government to continue giving attention to infrastructure development in Sabah’s east coast so that the region would not continue to lag behind in terms of public facilities and transport connectivity.
