Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Recognised As M'sia's Most Modern, Beautiful Domestic Airport - Loke

KOTA BHARU, April 18 (Bernama) -- Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) here is recognised as the country’s most modern and beautiful domestic airport.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the airport earned this status because its first‑phase upgrade is the newest government project completed, unlike other airports still being upgraded.

"So, for now, LTSIP is the most modern and beautiful domestic airport in the country," he said.

"Certainly, we hope this airport can be fully utilised to attract more tourists to Kelantan, and that this collaboration will continue to benefit both the people and the country," he said while speaking at the opening ceremony of the new LTSIP terminal here today.

Loke also thanked the Ministry of Transport staff, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the Kelantan state government, contractors, and all parties involved for successfully delivering the project.

He said the clear commitment, dedication and close cooperation shown by all parties were key factors behind the successful implementation of the infrastructure project, which has become a source of pride for the people of Kelantan.

According to Loke, certain design features at the airport were not originally part of the technical plans, but emerged accidentally due to a small construction error.

“Although most people don’t realise that some of these features were created by default rather than by design, in the end, we ran with them and used them to make the overall design look beautiful.

“I am confident that what we have done here will give this airport a fresh new look and help project a positive image, not just for Kelantan but for the country as a whole,” he said.

The new terminal features more than 20 check-in counters, a multi-storey car park, dedicated taxi lanes, a fire and rescue station, expanded aircraft parking bays and a cashless operating system aimed at improving efficiency and passenger comfort.

The RM440 million expansion project is expected to raise the airport’s capacity to four million passengers annually, up from 1.5 million previously.

The terminal has also been enlarged from 12,000 to 36,000 square metres, with a redesigned layout separating departure halls on the upper level and arrival areas below to ease congestion.

Aircraft parking bays on the apron have increased to 11 from five, while parking capacity has expanded to about 1,300 lots, unlike 350 previously.

These improvements are expected to ease passenger drop-off and pick-up, especially during peak periods such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

-- BERNAMA