NEW airports or expansion of existing ones will be considered only after the Transport Ministry concludes the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) study.

Minister Wee Ka Siong said the government will need two years to finish the assessment on the needs and viability of all airports.

“This is important as the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the aviation sector which will take at least to three years to recover,” he said during his ministerial reply on the Royal Address.

Taking the Kulim International Airport (KXP) in Kedah and the Penang International Airport as examples, he said the two airports could together handle 50 million people.

“If there are four airports in the north, competing with one another, then that will leave a bad impact,” he said.

He said the plan will take into account factors such as demand and capacity.

The plan will not only be confined to the development of airports but also Short Take-Off Landing Airport (STOLPORT). – August 3, 2020.