IPOH, February 5 — The Malaysian government has approved an RM60 million allocation for the expansion of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, marking a significant step in improving air travel infrastructure in Perak. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming described the funding as a special Chinese New Year gift from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Perakians.
The expansion will be carried out in two phases, with RM8 million allocated for the first phase and RM52 million for the second. Additionally, the Ipoh City Council will contribute RM4 million to enhance the airport’s entrance and exit routes. The expansion aims to address capacity issues, as the airport, designed for 500,000 passengers, handled 512,000 travelers last year. Once completed, it will accommodate up to 700,000 passengers annually.
Speaking at the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCCI) Chinese New Year celebration, Nga highlighted that 10.52 hectares of land beside the airport will be developed for a cargo section, strengthening Perak’s export capabilities to destinations such as Singapore and Thailand. He assured that the expansion would not impact nearby residential areas, as the project focuses primarily on terminal upgrades.
In addition to infrastructure enhancements, new flight routes—including Bangkok-Ipoh, Jakarta-Ipoh, and Hong Kong-Ipoh—are being explored to boost connectivity. Nga emphasized the urgency of the project, acknowledging the long-standing demand for airport expansion and reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerating its implementation.
