The development of the new Lawas Airport will emphasise green technology and user-friendly elements while benefiting the people of Lawas and its surroundings, the Sarawak government recently announced. Construction on the new airport is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year and is scheduled to be fully completed by the end of 2026.
The Deputy Premier of Sarawak stated that the new airport in Sundar will provide a wider service especially to other parts of Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia. He noted that Lawas also needs a bigger airport to accommodate the influx of tourists and facilitate efforts to attract investment to the northern area of Sarawak.
“Therefore, this new airport project is important because it will be a catalyst for economic growth in the northern region,” he said while completing the closing of the proposed laboratory for the development of the new Lawas Airport.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) is the implementing agency for the project. Set up in 2008, RECODA is an investment promotion agency established by the government to supervise the general development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
RECODA’s Chief Executive Officer stated that organising a laboratory like this is important to coordinate all parties involved in the project by optimising the design and cost of the project without affecting the quality of the new airport. Ultimately, the aim is to deliver the project on time, at the most optimal cost without compromising quality for the benefit of the people.
According to another report, Lawas currently functions as a Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport), operating since 1961. Despite the 1996 upgrade, the STOLport continues to experience issues including flooding. In addition, the rise in passenger population means that the STOLport is unable to cope with the increasing demand. Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport carried out a feasibility study in 2016 and recommended that a new airport, with a runway length of 1,500 metres, be built to accommodate ATR 72-500 aircraft.
A two-day value assessment lab for the proposed new Lawas airport in Sundar was completed on 12 August 2022. The lab was attended by consultants and officers from various relevant government agencies and aimed to consolidate input and feedback on the planning and system design, architectural works, and mechanical and electrical works for this project to achieve better value and optimal cost.
The Green Airport Market is an emerging market in the modern world. With the advent of economic air travel, the need for airports is greater than ever. As governments try to make sustainable spaces, green airports that are environmentally and community-friendly are being developed rapidly. From eco-friendly features that reduce carbon footprints to people-friendly amenities that make it easier for people who travel, green airports are the future of travel.
The Green Airport Market was impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic like all other markets. This meant the unprecedented decline and shutdown of the air travel sector and the allied airport sector. The immediate effect was a significant decrease trend in the market value of the Green Airport Market.
However, as the world enters the post-pandemic phase and with the resumption of air travel, the sector has emerged as a major player. Thus, looking ahead, the Green Airport Market is expected to revive and expand in Green Airport Market Size in terms of revenue and operations.
The Green Airport Market is influenced by a variety of drivers. One such driver is the need for sustainability and the incorporation of green technology to conserve the environment. Human activity and pollution have resulted in vast and rapid environmental degradation.
As governments and international organisations work to undo the damage, the demand for green airports is expected to increase. An example of a green airport is the Chicago O’Hare International Airport which houses an aeroponic garden and the world’s largest bee apiary to promote greenery and sustainability.
