The Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has confirmed that the new Kuching International Airport will be located in Tanjung Embang.
This news, reported by TVS, revealed not only the location but also the reasons behind the choice.
Why Tanjung Embang Was Chosen
Tanjung Embang, situated between the Kuching Division and Asajaya District in Samarahan Division, is currently underdeveloped and lacks a main road connecting it to either Kuching or Samarahan.
Once numerous road projects are completed, the are will be about an hour from Kuching City via Sejingkat.
According to Abang Johari, initially, the airport was planned for Matang, which is approximately 15 minutes from Kuching City.
However, due to its proximity to Indonesian air space, incoming flights would require permission from Indonesian authorities, complicating future landings, especially for high-altitude flights.
Such flights would likely also incur additional charges, making the airport less attrative in terms of cost.
As a result, Abang Johari stated that government therefore selected Tanjung Embang for the location of the new airport.
Addition, while earlier rumours (based on a video shared during the Sarawak Gas Roadmap video) suggest the airport maybe located off the shore of Tanjung Embang, some sources have said that the airport will now be built on land instead, although this is unconfirmed.
Sarawak Inspired Design
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan has emphasized that the new airport’s design should prominently reflect Sarawak’s cultural identity.
In a report by Borneo Post, he stated that showcasing Sarawak’s unique identity is crucial. He hopes that the rich culture of Sarawak will be evident in the airport, giving travelers an immediate sense of arriving in Sarawak.
Interestingly, many have expressed that the current Kuching International Airport lacks a ‘Sarawakian identity’ and resembles a smaller version of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
New Kuching International Airport completion date
DayakDaily reports Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Abdul Karim Hamzah as saying that the airport, together with the proposed Tanjung Embang Deep Sea Port, is on the ‘fast track’ status.
He said that both projects amount to about RM100 billion and are expected to be in the coming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), a plan which the MalayMail reports to starts from 2026 and is supposed to be completed by 2030.
With the new airport, Sarawak aims to improve connectivity and create a gateway that reflects the true essence of Sarawak.
