KUALA LUMPUR – KL International Airport (KLIA) celebrates its 18th anniversary this year and the airport is now ready to transform itself into becoming an integrated hub as outlined in the Malaysia Airports’ five-year business plan – Runway to Success 2020 (RtS2020). Identified as one of four strategic pillars in the Malaysia Airports’s recently launched five-year business plan, KUL* Hub is aimed at intensifying efforts to provide excellent connectivity and seamless transfers especially between full service and low-cost carriers.
KLIA is in an excellent position to emerge as a regional integrated hub as it possesses several key advantages, namely its competitive aeronautical charges and it’s strategic location that is within two to four hours’ of flight time to and from ASEAN countries with its 600 million population.
Combined, KLIA Main Terminal (KLIA Main) and klia2 cater to more than 60 airlines serving more than 130 direct destinations. With the opening of klia2, KLIA now is a three-runway airport system – making KLIA the first airport in the region to have three independent runways, thus enhancing efficiencies and facilitating future growth.
The KUL Hub strategy is also a key component in the success of Malaysia Airports’ vision in becoming a Global Leader in Creating Airport Cities. The recently launched KLIA Aeropolis is centred on three key clusters, namely Air Cargo & Logistics, Aerospace & Aviation, and MICE & Leisure. Thus, KLIA will remain at the core of the country’s ultimate airport city development.
* KUL is the IATA code for KL International Airport
In his speech during the anniversary celebration held at KLIA today, Y.Bhg. Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports also mentioned that Malaysia Airports’ aspirations is not only about making KLIA the region’s premier integrated aviation hub; it is also meant to transform Malaysia Airports from an airport operator into a service leader through another key strategic priority under RtS2020 - Total Airport Experience (TAE). TAE is aimed at enhancing passenger journey across all the touchpoints delivering better airport-retailer and airport-airline relationship as well as transforming Malaysia Airports into a customer-centric organisation.
“Although this initiative is spearheaded by Malaysia Airports, it would require the support and concerted effort of all of us within the airport community. This is why we treasure the strong collaboration and relationship that currently exist among us today. It is my sincere hope that this relationship based on mutual respect will continue to flourish as it is the key determinant to our success in achieving our mission of creating joyful experiences and being acknowledged as one of the best airports in the world,” added Badlisham.
For the first five months of 2016, KLIA registered a total of 20.8 million of passenger movements and continues to welcome new airlines. Up till June this year KLIA welcomed two new airlines to KLIA. The first was Shaheen Airlines, which introduced direct routes between Pakistan and Kuala Lumpur. The second was VietJet Air with direct routes between Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi. Only last week, one of Malaysia Airports longest serving airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines had announced an increase in their flight frequency to KLIA bringing it to a total of ten flights week.
As at May, KLIA showed encouraging year-on-year growth of 4.3% whereby KLIA Main had recorded 9.3 million passengers and klia2 recorded 11.6 million passengers – an increase of 13.4% over the same corresponding period. Traffic numbers for KLIA Main is picking up momentum supported by high growth from Malindo Air and other foreign airlines. International traffic for KLIA also grew by 4% supported by improved passenger traffic from North East Asia and the Middle East.
This growth was attributed to several factors such as increased number of flight frequencies, and the commencement of new routes from airlines partners.
Based on a projected growth of 7% annually, the two airports, KLIA Main and klia2 are expected to receive 69 million passengers in 2020.
In commemorating its 18 years of achievement and showing its appreciation to passengers, KLIA feted five lucky passengers in a simple yet special reception. The lucky passengers were chosen based on these criteria:
i. The 68 millionth Passenger at klia2 (Domestic)
ii. The 106 millionth Passenger at klia2 (International)
iii. The 95 millionth Passenger at KLIA (Domestic)
iv. The 248 millionth Passenger at KLIA (International)
v. The 517 millionth Passenger at KLIA (Overall)