Study on proposed Kulim airport not finalised, says Loke

The transport minister says he also has not received any official application to build an aerodrome for the Kedah Aerotropolis project.

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) study in relation to the proposed development of the Kulim International Airport (KXP) has yet to be finalised, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.

Loke said the transport ministry has also not received any official application to build an airport for the Kedah Aerotropolis project.

“The approval by the National Physical Planning Council prior to this was given only in principle whereby there needs to be a follow-up application to the transport minister for the aerodrome,” he said during the question-and-answer session in Parliament today.

He was replying to a supplementary question by Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai) on the latest developments of the project.

Responding to Azman’s original question regarding the ministry’s role in ensuring the project continues, Loke said a series of discussions and meetings had been held with the Kedah government to detail out the airport development proposal.

He said the ministry informed them the proposed airport development project was subject to the NASP study.

“So far, the Kedah government has submitted a letter, dated Jan 3, 2021, asking the ministry to give permission for the development of the KXP and Kedah Aerotropolis project by giving an exception on the waiting period for the completion of the NASP study or using the findings of previous preliminary study data as the interim NASP,” he said.

He said applications for aerodrome development projects, including airports, must be made in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1969 and related regulations.

He said the ministry was always open to development proposals from state governments or private investors that bring about economic benefits, competitiveness and also for sustainable development.