Perak government plans for new airport: Zambry

IPOH: The Perak government plans to build a new airport to further boost the tourism and industry sectors in the state.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state government had made preliminary discussions and conducted research on the matter.
"I will announce it when the time comes. What I can say it is that the location for the new airport is not far from Ipoh and not near to a busy airport such as Penang International Airport.
"The location has been identified and all that is needed is cooperation of the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Civil Aviation. I hope to get approval from the federal government," he told reporters after appearing live for two hours in the Selamat Pagi Mentri Besar programme of Radio Perak FM at 8am today.
He was responding to questions on current issues posed by a panel comprising Perak Information Department director Razali Kidam, Utusan Malaysia Ipoh Bureau chief Sayed Hesyam Idris, Harian Metro Ipoh Bureau chief Wan Asrudi Wan Hasan, and Sinar Harian Ipoh Assistant Bureau chief Normawati Adnan.
Zambry said the location for the new airport was chosen after considering the economic growth of the area and the landscape.
"The location was once proposed, but it was chosen for other development purposes and the idea for the airport was abandoned.
Today, it is back on the table.
"It is quite spacious and can accommodate a 3.5km runway suitable for large aircraft. It is not only meant for tourism but also the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry."
The state government was also working with the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) to upgrade the Hulu Perak Airport to accommodate small aircraft.
Upgrading of the airport would develop the tourism sector in Hulu Perak, especially from Lenggong to Pengkalan Hulu, said Zambry. — Bernama