KUCHING (Aug 8): The expansion of MASKargo’s warehouse facility at Kuching International Airport (KIA) is underway and scheduled for completion by April next year.

Fully funded by MASKargo at a cost of RM2.5 million, the project will expand the current cargo handling space from 33,000 square feet to 45,000 square feet, allowing greater efficiency in processing both domestic and international shipments.

The initiative follows concerns raised by local logistics and forwarding associations regarding cargo congestion at KIA.

In response, the state Ministry of Transport (MoT) engaged with industry players two years ago and subsequently liaised with relevant agencies to seek solutions, leading to the current expansion plan.

The Minister Lee Kim Shin expressed the Sarawak government’s full support for efforts to strengthen airport logistics infrastructure and pledged continued collaboration with federal agencies and aviation stakeholders.

“We welcome MASKargo’s expansion initiative and will do our part to ensure the airport meets both local and global expectations,” he said in a statement today following a recent site visit to the airport.

The visit was a follow-up to a meeting held last year with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), during which various issues were raised by airport and cargo facilities users.

A meet-up was held with the management teams of MAHB and MASKargo to review the progress of ongoing improvement projects at KIA, aimed at enhancing both passenger and cargo facilities.

During the visit, Lee was accompanied by his deputy Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and the ministry’s officials.

The delegation also reviewed other ongoing upgrades, including a RM50.8 million facility refurbishment slated for completion in December 2025; a RM4.6 million cargo parking project, targeted for early 2026; and passenger-friendly additions such as a nursing room, play zones, and e-hailing drop-off areas.

While KIA remains under federal jurisdiction, Lee reiterated the Sarawak government’s commitment to cooperation and excellence.

Currently, cargo services at KIA are supported by major carriers including AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Raya Airways, Kargo Xpress, World Cargo Airlines, and My Indo Airlines.

As of May this year, the airport had handled 22,557,173 kilogrammes of cargo —
90.3 per cent domestic and 9.7 per cent international.

In terms of aircraft movements, KIA recorded 18,872 flights between January and May this year. Of these, 91 per cent were domestic and 9 per cent international, including cargo, private jets, chartered and ferry flights.

Credit: Jude Toyat, The Borneo Post 2025