Malaysia Airports to proceed with LCCT plan

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) announced (05-Jan-09) plans to proceed with plans to construct a permanent LCCT under the National Airport Master Plan. MAHB wishes to categorically state that they fully support the development of low fare travel in Malaysia and recognise the role that AirAsia has played in this development.

 

NATIONAL AIRPORT MASTER PLAN (NAMP) STUDY

1.    Malaysia Airports, with the support of Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance, initiated the development of the National Airport Master Plan study in Jul-07. This study is to set the direction for the future development of airports and aviation infrastructure in the country. The formulation of this master plan involved all relevant government agencies, MAHB, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia as well as representatives of foreign airlines.  This master plan can be used as a basis for the orderly construction and development of all airports including permanent LCCTs in Malaysia.

2.    The study, which has just recently been completed, took into account the development of low fare travel in Malaysia. The study, after considering several locations, has identified a location of the permanent LCCT at KLIA. The new LCCT location was selected as it would provide excellent connectivity for both landside and airside transfers for passengers as well as baggage.

3.    The existing ERL would be extended for an additional 1.5 km to connect the new LCCT to the existing Main Terminal. The LCCT would be built via a multi-modular design, with each module being able to handle 15 million passengers. The first phase of the permanent LCCT’s development would encompass two modules and a parking apron capable of accommodating at least 60 aircrafts of various sizes and configurations. The design of the airport terminal will focus on passenger comfort as well as operational efficiency for the LCC.

4.    The new terminal would be seamlessly integrated into KLIA’s current infrastructure via ERL immediately and via AeroTrain when the second satellite building is constructed. Pending Government’s approval, the first phase of this project could be ready by the end of 2011 and could be built at reasonable cost due to the availability of existing infrastructure.

5.    When the need arises, in line with KLIA’s Masterplan, a third runway can be built parallel to the second runway as aircraft movements and passenger traffic increases. This would offer efficient and quick turnaround for LCCs as there would then be two runways that would be of equal distance from the new permanent LCCT and its Parking apron.

6.    Thanks to the Government’s approved restructuring plan, MAHB is now in a position to partake the project with its own funds. Self-funding from its own cash reserves is not new to MAHB. Over the last 15 years, MAHB has spent over RM1 billion from its own cash reserves for the building and upgrading of airports such as KLIA for A380 readiness, development of apron and a cargo complex in Penang, and the development of new terminal buildings in Alor Setar, Langkawi, and Kota Bharu just to name a few.

7.    MAHB continues to cross-subsidise several loss-making domestic airports and rural services airports.

8.    This proposal for the new LCCT to be completed in three years’ time will provide connectivity with construction at reasonable cost and can be self-funded by MAHB. The synergy between the legacy carriers and LCCs under one roof would pave the concept of a “new generation” airport hub in the region.



(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 06-Jan-08


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