KULIM (Mar 31): The first phase of the estimated RM1.6 billion Kulim International Airport (KXP) would kick-off as an air cargo airport, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mukhriz told the media that based on feedback from manufacturers and industry players regarding the shortage of cargo handling capacity at the Penang International Airport (PIA), there is a need for a new air freight airport.

According to Mukhriz, the plan is well received by the manufacturers in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP). KXP would later cater the passenger air traffic as well.

However, the plan to build KXP, which is still being studied by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) with additional research done by the state government, has yet to receive greenlight.

Mukhriz noted that the feedback revealed that KXP air freight facility would be able to meet the demand for an air cargo airport. There are reports that cargo traffic to PIA has been declining by 10.5% annually mainly as manufacturers have opted for land transportation due to capacity shortage.

“We received feedback from manufacturers in (KHTP), other parts of Kedah and Penang that they have been transporting their cargo by road to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“At PIA, the emphasis is on passenger travels compared to cargo movements. Hence, our plan to make Phase One of KXP a cargo airport to pick up the slack,” said Mukhriz.

He added that the existing one runway was not sufficient to meet the air traffic on the island. The convention is that if a plane is landing at PIA, priority is given to a passenger aircraft.

Speaking to the media after a briefing with International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, Mukhriz added that the KXP air freight airport would not affect PIA’s business as its focus was on handling passengers.

He said PIA was performing well in handling passengers with statistics showing a 10% increase on domestic and international flight travellers to 6.03 million last year from 2013 at PIA.

It is believed that Mukhriz was aiming to have KXP included under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

Over the years, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had been urging the federal government to look into building another runway at PIA because foreign direct investments had grown in the state.

On March 25, Lim wrote to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to include the expansion and improvement of PIA at a cost of RM600 million under the 11MP as the number of passengers are expected to exceed 6.5 million this year.

“We urge that the airport expansion would also include a maintenance, repair and overhaul hub. We have made plans to reclaim hundreds of acres of land for expansion purposes,” said Lim.

Mustapa said the federal government encouraged infrastructure improvement as it would help industrial development. “Mukhriz’s plan for a cargo airport is important for industrial development. The government is studying the need currently but any infrastructure that can boost investment would be encouraged,” the minister added.