IPOH, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The government has agreed to upgrade the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here, with the cost of about RM120 million, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said.
He said the upgrading works would cover the terminal building, extension of runway to 2km from the existing 1.8km and the construction of another taxiway.
"The government agrees to upgrade the airport and I hope that it can be implemented as soon as possible," he told reporters after attending a closed-door briefing by airport officials here Thursday.
The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, and the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, as well as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir also attended the briefing.
Ong said the decision to upgrade the airport showed the commitment on the part of the government which had earlier given approvals to Malaysia and Singapore airlines to operate the Ipoh-Singapore sector.
Apart from Malaysia's budget carriers of Firefly and AirAsia, Singapore's budget carriers, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways, would also operate the route.
He said the upgrading would not involve the relocation of residents in several housing areas near the airport.
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