New contractors have been appointed to complete the upgrading of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), according to Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi.

He said the mechanical and electrical contractor began working on Aug 12, while the civil and structural contractor, on Oct 1 this year.

He said the project consisted of two packages that included upgrading of the terminal building which was completed in 2010.

Another package involved upgrading of the airside such as expansion of the runway, taxi lane and replacement of the aeronautical ground lighting cables, as well as upgrading of the Communication Aids System and Navigation Aids System, he said in reply to a question by Senator Chin Su Phin.

Chin had asked about the KKIA project delay and the government’s measures to overcome it.

Ab Aziz further explained that the delay only involved the second package.

To a supplementary question from Senator Lim Nget Yoon, he said the upgrading works did not hinder the daily activities and services at the airport.

- Bernama