IPOH, Sept 8 (Bernama) — The Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) will be maintained to cater for the need of the people and low cost airlines even if a new airport was build said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said the RM60 million allocated by the Transport Ministry to upgrade the airport and facilities would further enhance the airport as a hub for low cost airlines and tourists.

“The LTSAS is also used for training programmes by the Royal Malaysian Air Force and private companies…the airport is still an important and strategic facility to boost development in the Kinta Valley and for commercial light aircraft

“The Perak government does not intend to close the LTSAS although plans are afoot to build a new international airport through the initiative of the private sector,” he told reporters after chairing a state exco meeting here today.

Zambry said the objective of building a new airport was to provide a conducive platform for major airlines to use the facilities.