By Sharen Kaur
Published in NST on April 12 2010
Eight companies have been shortlisted to bid for a contract worth some RM150 million to upgrade the main terminal building and parking apron at Sibu Airport in Sarawak.
The companies include Trans Resources Corp Group, IJM Corp Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering Bhd and diversified Musyati Sdn Bhd, which is based in Kuching.
Business Times understands the eight were shortlisted as they had met the technical requirements and have built or upgraded airports previously.
A source familiar with the plan said the deadline for the companies to put in their bid is May 20.
"The contract may be awarded latest by July. The government wants the airport to be upgraded fast as Sibu is experiencing growth in tourist arrivals," the source said.
Sibu receives a large number of tourists each year from local and foreign countries.
In 2008, the airport, which is located 24km from Sibu town, handled 831,772 passengers on 14,672 flights and 735 tonnes of cargo.
As the second biggest town in Sarawak, Sibu does not want to be left behind in the fast developing state.
According to Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd in previous reports, the terminal building, when upgraded, would be bigger than the Bintulu and Miri airports.
The terminal will have, among others, three aerobridges so that the distance for passengers to walk to and from the aircraft can be shortened.
Sibu Airport started operations in June 1994. It was built by YTL Corp Bhd at a cost of RM112 million.
The airport can accommodate small and mid-range aircraft like the Boeing 737-500. The 2,000-metre runway is capable of allowing direct flights from Kuala Lumpur using Boeing 737s.
The runway was last upgraded in 1999 by IJM Corp.
-ENDS-
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