November 29, 2011 - SEPANG – With the larger
terminal footprint now standing at 257,000 m2, 68 contact stands and enhanced
systems in place, such as a fully automated baggage handling system, klia2
will be the world’s largest purpose-built terminal for low cost carriers (LCCs) with the capacity to serve up to 45
million passengers annually, ready to cater for the explosive growth in low
cost travel. klia2 is one of the largest privately funded projects and will spur
the local economic growth and employment opportunities.
klia2 is built as a national infrastructure asset to cater to
the needs of the airlines, government, public and the airport. As a
result of these requirements, klia2 has been significantly upgraded with
superior facilities compared to the original design to be a more
passenger-friendly terminal for LCCs, featuring a terminal building with a
gross floor area of 257,000m2, a 71% increase from the original
150,000m2; a vast retail space; fully automated Baggage Handling
System (BHS); a dedicated runway, a new air traffic control tower,
aerobridges and smooth connectivity to the KLIA main terminal building and KL
Sentral, serving as an impressive, first experience and the gateway to Malaysia for all visitors.
In view of the appeals by
the public especially people with restricted movements, elderly people,
expectant mothers, and children, MalaysiaAirports wishes to announce that
aerobridges will be installed at klia2. We hope that the airlines operating
at klia2 will support our decision by using the aerobridges to
meet the needs of the travelling public. This is also in line with the
Government’s call for corporates to provide the public with People First
products and services. As the cost works out to be only 25 sen per passenger,
the public has indicated that they are willing to pay for the use of
aerobridges.
klia2 is only 1.5km away from the current Main Terminal
Building (MTB) of KLInternational Airport (KLIA) as
compared to the current KLIA-LCCT. A much-awaited feature that KLIA will
offer upon the completion of klia2, is the seamless connectivity between full
service and low cost airlines – thus positioning KLIA as the Next Generation
Hub (NGH). Passengers will be able to enjoy a hassle-free travelling
experience through the proximity and ease of connectivity between KLIA and
klia2. On top of this, klia2 will provide multi-modal transportation
facilities such as the ERL, buses and taxis, acting as a transportation hub,
not only for the convenience of passengers but also the surrounding
community. As the NGH, KLIA will have a competitive advantage over other
rival airports globally.
The additional scope and enhancements will result in a cost of
between RM3.6 and RM3.9 billion, and will be amongst the lowest compared to
other similar airport terminal projects. The final cost will depend on the
exact amount of sales tax recovery and potential savings from contracts yet
to be awarded. The total cost has taken into consideration RM 530 million for
the construction of government assets that will be funded by Malaysia
Airports as provided for in the Operating Agreement between Malaysia Airports
and the Government. With enhanced revenue streams, klia2 will be more
commercially driven and its viability remains intact. RAM Rating Services
Berhad has recently reaffirmed its AAA rating on Malaysia Airports’ Sukuk
program as a strong testimony of Malaysia Airports’ financial standing and
stability.
World’s Largest Purpose-Built Terminal for LCCs
For reasons of conformance to user and regulatory
requirements, and ensuring optimal operational efficiency, the klia2 terminal
has been enhanced from the original design to now be a multi-storey terminal
building. Resultant gross floor area expands by 71% to 257,000m2.
The klia2 terminal complex will feature a main terminal building and a
satellite building with a ‘Skybridge’ linking them together, the first
airport Skybridge in Asia. The Skybridge will give the added advantage
of greater aircraft maneuverability at the apron over a land bridge, while
providing a spectacular view of the airside to passengers crossing to the
satellite building.
The bigger terminal space will cater to international
requirements more comprehensively and also comply with the new Government
directive to implement centralised security as well as total passenger
segregation – which requires international and domestic as well as arriving
and departing passengers to be segregated. klia2 will therefore be the first
terminal in the country designed and built to comply with this new directive.
In line with the concept of NGH, the larger space is also meant to handle the
airlines’ anticipated growth of transit passenger traffic.
Operational Efficiencies
One of the core components for the efficiency of any airport
is the Baggage Handling System (BHS). Hence, it is critical that the right
BHS is selected, failing which, there could be mishandling of baggage, flight
delays and inconvenience to passengers. Although the decision to upgrade the
BHS system was finally agreed to by all parties at an advanced development
stage and has resulted in 6 more months of terminal expansion and
modification works, Malaysia Airports expects the benefits to outweigh the
additional time and cost it will incur.
The bigger terminal building will further accommodate the
increased number of gates and contact stands to minimise aircraft towing. The
increased number of aircraft stands including more of wide-body stands have
led to an over 60% larger apron area. In total there are now 68 contact
stands and 8 remote stands, from the original 50 stands. With all these in
place, the terminal will be able to effectively handle 45 million passengers
per annum.
New Runway 3
Runway 3 has always been included in the National Airport
Master Plan (NAMP), and due to the rapid growth of aviation traffic
especially seen in Asia Pacific, the need for the third runway will soon
emerge in the near future. As such, it was decided by all stakeholders to
build Runway 3 for the A330 and B747 operations, specifically to support
AirAsia’s expansion plans. Besides this, Runway 3 will ease congestion,
reduce taxing time, and serve as a backup runway in the event that either
Runway 1 or 2 is closed.
The longer runway of 3.96 km from the initial 2.5 km enables significant fuel
savings for airlines during take-off and landing.
New Air Traffic Control Tower
Instead of an apron control tower that was originally planned, klia2 will now
include a new Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) to better manage all three
runways. The new ATCT will be augmented with the latest Air Traffic Control
systems and equipments that will allow dual mode operations. This will also
give the added advantage as a backup ATCT to the existing one.
Commercial Viability
Leveraging on its track record of strong financial performance
and stability, coupled with a robust strategic roadmap as published in
its 5 year Business Direction document ‘Runway to Success (2010-2014)’,Malaysia
Airports has raised funds in two tranches totalling RM 2.5 billion through
its RM3.1 billionSukuk programme to support the development cost
of klia2 and other corporate purposes. RAM Rating Services Berhad has
recently reaffirmed its AAA rating on this Sukuk as a strong testimony of
Malaysia Airports’ financial standing and stability. The remaining funding
requirements will be raised via a combination of internally generated funds,
equity and/or external borrowings.
With the future traffic of 45 million passengers annually,
klia2 will be commercially viable, leveraging on its position as a commercial
hub and the services offered, including 225 retail outlets, the airside
transit hotel, maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) services and cargo,
and aerospace related activities. Privatized projects for facilities such as
the AirAsia Headquarters Tune Hotel, and a landside shopping mall are also
part of the plan. This will open up a myriad of business opportunities for the local
entrepreuneurs.
Taking into consideration the above enhancements and the three
months operational readiness period, the targeted operation date will now be
April 2013. All the key stakeholders of klia2, especially the Government,
AirAsia and AirAsiaX have been thoroughly engaged throughout the development
process. The project teams meet on a weekly basis, where progress,
expectations and requirements are discussed, consensus reached and documented
accordingly to ensure that all expectations and requirements are met and
managed satisfactorily.
klia2 is the embodiment of Malaysia Airports’ continued
commitment towards operational excellence and passenger comfort and safety.
The state of the art facility embedded in klia2 will provide the necessary
leap as the Next Generation Hub, to further grow and strengthen the nation’s
aviation sector.
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