Kota bharu: Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) has been acknowledged as Malaysia's most modern and beautiful domestic airport. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the airport's new status, highlighting its recent completion as the first phase of the government's upgrade project, setting it apart from other airports still undergoing updates.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the new LTSIP terminal. Loke expressed hopes that the airport would attract more tourists to Kelantan, benefiting both the local community and the broader national economy. He extended gratitude to the Ministry of Transport staff, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the Kelantan state government, and all involved parties for their role in the successful completion of the project. Loke emphasized the dedication and cooperation that contributed to the achievement, marking it as a point of pride for Kelantan residents.
Loke also noted that certain design elements of the airport resulted from minor construction errors but were embraced to enhance the overall aesthetic. He expressed confidence that these features would provide the airport with a refreshed appearance and positively impact the image of Kelantan and Malaysia.
The new terminal boasts over 20 check-in counters, a multi-storey car park, designated taxi lanes, a fire and rescue station, expanded aircraft parking bays, and a cashless operating system to boost efficiency and passenger comfort. The RM440 million expansion project aims to increase the airport's capacity to four million passengers per year, up from the previous 1.5 million.
The terminal's size has tripled from 12,000 to 36,000 square meters, featuring a redesigned layout that separates departure halls on the upper level from arrival areas below to alleviate congestion. Aircraft parking bays have more than doubled, from five to eleven, and parking capacity has increased from 350 to approximately 1,300 lots. These enhancements are expected to streamline passenger drop-off and pick-up, particularly during peak travel periods such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.