The Transport Ministry will continue efforts to encourage domestic and international airline companies to use the Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam, here as a gateway for local and foreign tourists entering the historical state.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said they included encouraging tourist chartered flights from China to use LTAM which had been upgraded.

"I believe the on-going efforts by the Melaka state government and the Transport Ministry will bring in more passengers using the LTAM," he told reporters after the launching ceremony of the fifth Melaka International Air Carnival at LTAM here.

The ceremony was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and attended by former Chief Minister Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam who is also chairman of the carnival.

At present, only the Malindo Air which is operating in LTAM is offering five flights a week to Penang and Pekanbaru, Indonesia beginning last Wednesday.

He said the ministry was in the midst of negotiating with Air Asia and Firefly to bring in passengers to their destinations through LTAM.

Liow said LTAM had a runway which was 2,135 metres long and 45 metres wide which could accommodate landings by large planes including the Airbus 320.

"In fact, if need be, we are ready to extend the runway so that the LTAM can take landings by the Boeing 737," he said.

He added that chartered flights from China would revive the maritime silk route as Admiral Cheng Ho had once stopped in Melaka on his famed journeys in the 15th century.

"This would make Melaka more known to Chinese tourists," Liow said.

At the ceremony, the MIG29 jets and helicopters of the Royal Malaysian Air Force were used in a show held for the audience.