In a statement, ECK Group of Companies said it would develop an “airport city” and “aerotropolis” next to the new airport, slated to be built in Sidam Kiri, near Sungai Petani.

Another company in the ECK stable, ECK Development Sdn Bhd has also acquired a majority stake in the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel and roads project company, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd. ECK Development is chaired by Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin.

ECK’s announcement follows an announcement by Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor recently that a company had pledged to spend RM2 billion to acquire 4,000ha of land in Sidam Kiri for the purpose of the airport and other related development.

The airport alone will be on a 1,700ha site and is expected to handle 15 million passengers per year when it is completed.

The airport and other related developments announced earlier would cost a total of RM6.8 billion.

Today, ECK also announced that a special purpose vehicle company comprising ECK and a state government company to be headed by Tunku Shazuddin Ariff will be set up for the projects. Other board of directors include Kedah government officials and those from within the company, it said.

“The project will be a catalyst for change and development in the state and is set to change the image of Kedah and its neighbouring states drastically,” it said in a statement.