KUALA LUMPUR (July 17): The second phase of the Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra Airport upgrading project is expected to be completed on Jan 26, 2025, according to the Ministry of Transport (MOT).

The ministry said the upgrading project is currently being actively implemented, with the first phase of construction works scheduled for completion on 30 April 2024.

"Upon full completion, the new airport terminal will be able to accommodate up to four million passengers annually," it said in a written reply posted on Parliament's website on Tuesday.

This response was provided to Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who inquired about the latest status of the LTSIP.

In line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement on May 2, 2024, the ministry stated that it is also examining the technical scope and cost estimates to extend the runway at the airport by an additional 400 metres, bringing the total length to 2,800 metres.

The MOT said this extension will allow the airport to fully support the operation of Code 3C aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-Max and Airbus 321 Neo, with a travel range of up to five hours.

The extension project is expected to take 18 months to complete.

"With the implementation of the upgrade project and the runway extension, the airport will provide greater comfort to passengers and enable international flight operations, similar to Kuantan and Ipoh Airports, which have flights to Singapore," MOT added.

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