LTSIP Runway Extension Ready By 2027, Poised To Unlock Long-haul Travel Potential

KOTA BHARU, April 18 (Bernama) -- The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) runway extension project, which is currently underway, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said international flight operations do not need to wait until the runway is completed, as the existing 2,400-metre runway is already sufficient for flights to ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, which typically take between two and three hours.

“However, once the runway is extended, it will be more attractive to airlines as aircrafts will have sufficient take-off distance, especially when carrying heavier fuel loads.

“This will enable longer-haul flights of about five to six hours, for example, to China or South Korea in the future,” he said at a press conference after officiating the new LTSIP terminal here today.

Loke said the ministry will continue discussions with local airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air and AirAsia to increase flight frequencies, while also welcoming the entry of international carriers into LTSIP.

He said improved connectivity would attract more visitors to Kelantan and further boost the state’s tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Loke said LTSIP is also seeing strong demand for domestic travel, particularly on the strategic Kota Bharu-Kuala Lumpur route, which is among the busiest in the country.

“Currently, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Batik Air Malaysia operate flights to Kota Bharu, with a total of 125 weekly flights covering six key destinations, namely Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Penang and Subang,” he said.

He added that this development has contributed to steady passenger traffic growth throughout the year.

-- BERNAMA