JHB | Senai International Airport (Johor Bahru) [Archive]

mams

October 3rd, 2004, 08:47 PM

Senai completes new cargo complex
August 18, 2004

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/9176/complex003a.jpg

SENAI, JOHOR, August 18: Senai International Airport (Senai) is ready to carve out a bigger portion of the region's air cargo business with the completion of its new cargo facility.

Known as Phase 1 Cargo Facility, the RM13 million complex became fully operational on August 1 and forms a key part of a long term development plan to transform the airport into a key logistics hub in Asia.

The construction of the facility took ten months and with a built-up area of 3,600 sq m, it is capable of handling up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Equipped with a one-stop customs facility, the complex has its own storage area, build and break area, handling and storage for perishable items and a dedicated dangerous goods area.

The facility includes 1500 sq feet of office space for airline freighters, 1300 sq feet of office space for the cargo agents and eight counters for import and export documentation.

"We have opened the doors of our newly built cargo facility and have been receiving positive feedback from numerous parties in the cargo industry. They intend to capitalise on Senai as a centre of distribution in the Asia Pacific region," said Lars Gronsedt, Chief Commercial Officer of the airport.

"The new cargo facility, which meets international standards, marks the beginning of an integrated cargo operation at Senai, which previously was minimal."

The cargo complex is able to handle two full B747 freighters three narrow body freighters at any one time.

Gronsedt went on to say, "For a start, we're eyeing the large Johor-based cargo volumes that presently go through Singapore's Changi Airport.

"It makes economic sense to use Senai's cargo facility as it has good attributes - vicinity, convenience, semi-automatic cargo equipment and handling system and competitive operating costs."

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/4610/kargobuild2a.jpg

mams

October 6th, 2004, 01:25 PM

Edgedaily..

Senai appoints cargo rep for Europe

Senai International Airport has appointed Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its cargo business representative in Europe.

WingPartners would market the airport’s integrated cargo handling capabilities and distribution network to cargo airlines and logistics companies in Europe, said Senai airport operator Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) in a statement on Oct 4.

It said WingPartners specialised in aviation and shipping-based marketing and brokering and represented a wide range of global industry players, including Polar Air Cargo, British Mediterranean, GB Airways, Excel, MNG Airlines and Nationwide.

Senai selected WingPartners based on its strong European network and extensive industry experience, said SATS chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt.

“A report from Boeing stated that Europe-Asia cargo traffic is registering annual growth averaging 6.7%, which is higher than the global annual growth of 6.2%. We want to divert some of this huge traffic to Senai,” he said.

Commenting on the appointment, WingPartners’ co-partner Robert Arendal said cargo airlines in Europe would clearly see the attractiveness of Senai.

“We are already in talks with several airlines in Europe and the feedback on using Senai as a distribution base in Asia has been very encouraging,” he said.

mams

October 9th, 2004, 03:52 PM

Senai Airport aims for perishable cargo market

Senai International Airport (Senai) is aiming to get the world's key freight forwarders and traders of perishable cargo to use Senai as their regional processing and transit hub.

In a statement Friday, Lars Gronsedt, the chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, the operator of Senai, said that the company would be making a pitch towards this end at an upcoming conference in Dubai.

Gronsedt said the conference, "Second Annual Global Perishable Logistics Group Conference" to be held in Dubai, UAE from Oct 8-12, is being organised by the Global Perishable Logistics Group, a network of global perishable freight forwarders with representatives in over 70 cities across 35 countries.

He said Senai wanted to enhance their position in the market sector which made up one of the biggest airfreight components, accounting for almost 14 percent of airfreight volumes.

"According to logistics reports, perishable air cargo has been forecast to grow at a compounded rate of 10 percent per year and by 2010, would amount to a volume of over 10 million tonnes," he said.

Gronsedt hoped that the conference, which gathered importers and exporters of perishable goods and specialised forwarders under one roof, would be a platform to showcase Senai's present and future perishable-handling capabilities.

He also said that with Malaysia's import of food amounting to RM14 billion per year and exports of RM10 billion, there was a need for an efficient and cost effective handling of perishables.

He said the bulk of shipment that made up transit perishable cargo were seafood and fruits going to Japan, Hong Kong and other Far East destinations.

"Of late, ornamental fish breeders have stepped up exports by air and they are seen as growth sector with a need to develop a processing and packing air hub," Gronsedt said.

He said the future perishable centre at Senai's cargo complex would be dedicated to handle a wide range of perishable goods, including fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products, fish and seafood, fresh-cut flowers and potted plants and pharmaceuticals in an area covering 30,000 square feet.

Gronsedt said the company offered the same level of efficiency and speed provided by neighbouring airports but at lower operating and ground handling costs.

He said that the presentation of Senai at the upcoming conference would not only highlight the airport's dedicated future perishable handling capabilities and services, but also its key strengths which include a strategic location in South East Asia, first class infrastructure and facilities.

mams

October 9th, 2004, 04:25 PM

More pics of Senai..
THe yellow bus in the pics is CausewayLink bus which now serve shuttle service between JB - Senai.
http://img34.exs.cx/img34/797/P9010321.jpg

http://img34.exs.cx/img34/311/P9010323.jpg

Departue Hall
http://img34.exs.cx/img34/8885/P9010324.jpg

Malaysia Airlines's shuttle bus to JB,Singapore.
http://img34.exs.cx/img34/5494/P9010317.jpg

mams

November 15th, 2004, 07:45 PM

Riau Airlines flies to Senai
By Jimmy Yeow

Senai International Airport has clinched another carrier – Riau Airlines – the latest airline to use the airport as a strategic link to Malaysia.

The Sumatra-based Riau Airlines started flying the route on Nov 10, with twice daily scheduled services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays linking Pekanbaru and Senai, the airport operator said in a statement on Thursday.

It also links to other destinations in Riau, including Jambi, Palembang, Padang, Pangkal Pinang and Bukit Tinggi.

Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) chief commercial manager Lars Gronsedt said the partnership would provide air travellers to Riau and simulatenously provide a strategic link to Malaysia and other parts of the region, in particular Singapore.

With the addition of Riau, Senai is now linked to 13 cities throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Riau Ailrines which began operations in December 2001, is owned by the provincial government of Riau and serves 15 destinations. They are Senai, Malacca, Penang in Malaysia and Batam, Medan, Natuna, Padang, Palembang, Pangkal, Pinang, Pekan Baru and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia

Ijud

November 29th, 2004, 11:35 AM

The Edge: 29th. November 2004

Senai Airport nominated for two awards

Senai International Airport has been nominated for two awards - the “Best Emerging Airport” and “Best Air Cargo Terminal” categories of the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) 2005.

AFSCA, organised by Cargonews Asia and now in its 19th year, is a highlight of the Asian freight industry calendar. More than 42,000 readers of Cargonews Asia, a freight industry newspaper in the region, are polled to nominate and vote the best service providers in Asia's cargo industry.

The “Best Emerging Airport” award recognised up and coming airports that provided a cost-effective, cargo-friendly fee regime and suitable cargo-related infrastructure while freighting less than 500,000 tonnes of cargo per year, Senai Airport said in a statement on Nov 29.

The airport must also demonstrate timely and adequate investment in new infrastructure to meet future demand and excellent facilitation of air cargo ancillary services, including logistics and freight forwarding facilities on site or off.

Other nominees for the Best Emerging Airport category include Macau International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan International Airport and Tianjin Binhai International Airport from China and Nor Bai International Airport from Vietnam.

It said Senai had also been nominated for the “Best Air Cargo Terminal” in Asia award, which recognised airports that have set and clearly communicated its performance standards to shippers, logistics service providers and airlines.

Other contenders for this award include MAS Advanced Cargo Centre, Changi International Airport Services, Singapore Airport Terminal Services, DHL Express Cargo Terminal (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals, Shanghai Putong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co Ltd and Thai Airport Ground Services Co Ltd.

The list of finalists will be announced in February 2005 and the winners on April 27, 2005.

“These nominations mark a milestone as it shows that Senai is being recognised as a fast-growing cargo and logistics hub in Asia,” said chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Lars Gronsedt.

“We will continue to deliver services and speed up expansion plans to show players from airlines, cargo carriers, freight forwarders to cargo agents and shippers that we are committed and ready to serve them,” added Gronsedt.

Senai is undergoing a 10-year development plan to transform itself into a key passenger, cargo and logistics hub in Asia. Since SATS, the airport operator, took over operations a year ago, the airport has been aggressively growing its cargo business via its newly built cargo complex, capable of handling up to 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

The airport aims to capitalise on the world air cargo market, which is expanding at an annual growth of 6.2%. It is eyeing the large Johor-based cargo volume that is currently served by neighbouring airports.

Senai has also appointed Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its representative in Europe as part of its push to attract industry players to use the airport as their distribution base in Asia-Pacific.

mams

December 6th, 2004, 12:22 PM

Senai woos more airlines
By Faizal Zakariah

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which is expanding its infrastructure and facilities in line with its aim of becoming the region's air transport hub, is in talks with several airlines to use its airport in Johor, sources say.

Sumatra-based Riau Airlines started flying to the airport on Nov 10 with twice daily scheduled services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays linking Pekanbaru and Senai.

A source tells FinancialDaily that SATS is in prelimary discussions with another three to four airlines, including another Indonesian carrier. Among the parties SATS are wooing are said to be Sino Fortune Sdn Bhd for its thrice weekly flights to India and Singapore-based Airmark Aviation (S) Pty Ltd to re-instate services after stopping its operations early this year.

Prior to the Riau Airlines, only Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia operated from Senai Airport. With the latest addition, Senai is now linked to 13 cities throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Riau Airlines serves Melaka and Penang in Malaysia, and Batam, Medan, Natuna, Padang, Palembang, Pangkal, Pinang, Pekanbaru and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Senai handled 1.15 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, a 75% jump from the 654,000 passengers a year ago, a company official says.

He attributes the increase in the airport’s passenger traffic to more flights by MAS and AirAsia, which has also introduced new local and regional destinations via the airport.

Senai Airport could see a healthy increase in air travellers from Singapore with the new City Lounge, a transit point at Hentian Sentral in Johor Bahru, he adds.

Senai Airport's passenger traffic is set to meet the 1.5 million target by year-end against 900,000 passengers in 2003. It aims to handle 2.5 million passengers in 2005 by having a minimum of 68 daily flights compared with the current 42.

He says SATS will extend the airport’s existing grooved runway to 3,800m from 3,354m to accommodate long-range aircraft and build a parallel taxiway to increase capacity. The company has already invested RM50 million on the upgrading exercise.

On air cargo traffic, the official says SATS expects to handle 18,000 tonnes by year-end and 50,000 tonnes in 2005. Its new fully integrated cargo complex began operations in August this year.

It targets to handle 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually within the next five years. It is wooing air cargo and logistics players in Europe and the Middle East to use Senai as their distribution base in Asia.

Currently, the cargo complex can handle up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually. It can take cargo from two B747 freighters and three narrow body freighters at any one time.

SATS has identified a 15.2ha site near the airport for the second phase of the Cargo Terminal to house its warehouse and logistics operations.

He says a cargo agent complex will also be built and eventually be gazetted as a Free Commercial Zone Area, which will allow for breaking bulk, grading, repacking, relabelling and transshipment activities.

December 11th, 2004, 01:27 PM

acela

December 11th, 2004, 01:41 PM

Actually the Johor Gov don't have the right to change the name actually even the federal gov. It is because the government company through MAHB has sold the airport to Syed Mokhtar Bizz Tycoon and because of this it is the first privately own airport in Malaysia.

sugizm

December 11th, 2004, 06:16 PM

an article i grabbed from i-penang.com

Martin Jalleh
07 December 2004

Of low fares, no frills and only a farce

I wish to congratulate Air Asia (AA) for having achieved a record of sorts on 5th December, by changing its JB-Penang flight time six times within a day. Truly, in all my years of traveling I have never been treated to such an unique experience by an airline.

My fellow passengers on that flight echoed my sentiments when we exchanged notes on AA's great and historic feat. We look forward to the day when we will be able to meet the CEO of Air Asia (AA) in person and present him with a well-deserved Tony Award for the best theatrics by his airline, which should be aptly called: "Now everybody can let fly".

I had through a friend booked online on 1 November a ticket with AA for a JB-Penang flight on 5 December 2004. Initial information through the airline 's e-mail had indicated that the flight on that day was scheduled at 3.25pm.

On 23 November AA phoned to inform that the flight was changed to 10.35am. Then on the morning of 5 Dec my friend called me from KL informing me that she had received a SMS from AA saying that the flight had been postponed to 1.35pm.

All packed up and ready to go to the Senai Airport, I received another SMS from my friend again which said that the flight had been rescheduled to 3.30pm. It looked as though Air Asia was improving its services by sending such "jokes" to its passengers via SMS.

Just as I was about to leave for the airport, I received news that the flight was "retimed" yet again to 6.35pm. I was very impressed by the SMS service of Air Asia. My heart went out to those who did not have handphones. They would have missed the fun "without frills". How would they get to know of the changes, I had also wondered.

You have got to hand it to the airline. AA does not only make it possible for everyone to fly, it even adds an element of mystery when you choose to fly with the airline. Its latest secret promotional weapon is called "Guess when your plane will take off - 10.35am, 1.35pm, 3.30pm, or 6.35pm?"

On reaching the Air Asia counter, I was informed by their nervously-smiling staff that the 6.35 pm flight had been retimed - to 8.30pm! The short messages from AA must have been the airline's ingenious way of helping us prepare ourselves for a long night at the airport. How thoughtful of AA!

The official story was that one of their planes was "grounded". They had to buy a spare part from overseas (spare us the excuses, please). The part had to flown in through Singapore. There was an unexpected delay at the Customs (how convenient!) and of course "we apologise for the inconvenience caused".

It seems, to make life more interesting for its staff, AA has started a story-telling competition meant only for its staff. The winner - whoever is able to tell the tallest tale in the event of a long delay - will get a short holiday and have his/her named inscribed in the World's Compendium of Excuses. As for the clients of AA, they would be dished a combo surprise -- cheap fares - and cheap excuses!

"What about other planes? You mean to say that AA has only one plane? If you can't even handle the local flights then don't talk about expanding overseas. Please tell your boss this!" a lady roared at Raj at the counter.

"I have had to return to the airport four times today.and now you tell me the flight is delayed again. Is Air Asia going to pay for my petrol? What about those who have nowhere to go and who have been here as early as 8am to catch the supposed 10.30am flight?" another razed at Raj.

I met Singaporeans who shared that they were at the airport since early morning. Some had left Singapore as early as 5.30am that morning to avoid possible jams at the Causeway and to be early for the supposed 10.30am flight. Their children must be grateful to AA for they can now return and write an essay on "A Day in the Senai Airport".

The AA manager at the Senai Airport, Mr Lee, who had so selflessly hid behind the scenes and allowed his staff to receive the "accolades" for AA's surprise year-end day-long party at the Senai Airport, agreed to provide the passengers dinner (which turned out to be a box of mee goring) after we had given him an education on the norm of who provides the food in a surprise party.

Then all of a sudden the schedules board and the TV monitor screens in the airport showed that the 8.30pm flight was retimed to 10.05pm! It was the fifth change of the day! Mr Lee, who was stumped, and who struggled and stuttered to explain, told everyone that he was very sure that there will be a plane and we will be able to leave at 10.05pm.

"Just as you were very sure of the 10.35am, 1.35pm, 3.30pm, 6.35pm and 8.30pm flight? And what if the plane does not arrive and we do not leave at 10.05pm, what are your contingency plans?" I asked. It was very obvious he had none. There was no PR personnel to give an update. There was no crisis management team even though it was very clear that AA had a crisis in their hands. Every AA flight on that day was "retimed" - the latest (or earliest?) -- a JB-KL flight at 4.25am!

Children cried. Adults cursed. Lee crawled quietly back to his office downstairs. At times we had to go downstairs to force him to call KL to find out what was happening. Every red-black uniformed staff of AA cringed when passengers approached them.

As it turned out there was no flight at 10.05pm! We were told that it was retimed to 11.20pm! Everyone had only the energy left to make a vow never ever to travel by AA.

Soon after everyone had settled down in the plane, we were told that we had to wait a while for 14 "missing passengers". I raised my voice and said "Let's get moving we have waited the whole day." The crew ignored me. The captain came out of the cockpit and told the stewardess: "I am not waiting any longer. Close the doors!" It was the most sensible statement of the day by a AA official!

When we reached Penang International Airport, there was a long line of very angry people waiting to board the plane. I approached a steward and told him to tell his boss that what had happened and the manner in which AA had handled it was indeed very shameful. The people around rushed in to add in their comments to the steward. AA had lost many clients that day.

Please don't tell Tony Fenandez this, but I am planning to buy a 0.99sen kite and give it to him as a Christmas present. Now everybody on flight AK 630 can tell Tony to go fly a kite.

Martin Jalle(7 Dec. 2004)

szehoong

December 11th, 2004, 08:22 PM

an article i grabbed from i-penang.com

Of low fares, no frills and only a farce

^^^ Read this on Malaysiakini yesterday nite.....yea...very shameful! :ohno:

szehoong

December 11th, 2004, 08:27 PM

Why don't the Johor Government just change the name of the airport to Johor Bharu International Airport? It will be same as KLIA that the airport is not in KL but 50km south of KL at the town of Sepang? :wtf:

Well.......I am not too sure about Senai's case but as for KLIA....they had to put 'KL' rather than 'Sepang' due to recognition purposes. It is the branding that 'KL' had over 'Sepang'. And they wouldn't wanna repeat the same mistake with Subang and also to be travellers-friendly. Travellers wouldn't be too confused over names if KLIA is used....just like HK's Chek Lap Kok is officially HKIA and not Lantau Airport or Chek Lap Kok Intl Airport :D

szehoong

December 11th, 2004, 08:31 PM

Oh din realised this thread till just now! :eek:

Great pics Mams!!!

I kinda like Senai Airport.....I think they should have some sort of an airport hotel there and more restaurants or cafe......it would be painful to get stranded there (like I did!) :D

Oh....and they should also have more seats! :rant:

mams

December 20th, 2004, 01:34 PM

Plans to expand Senai airport into hub for halal food
Jose Barrock

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, the concession holder and manager of the Sultan Ismail International Airport in Malaysia's southern most State, Johor, may be moving into the distribution of halal food in a big way, people familiar with the matter told Mail Money yesterday.

Mail Money was told that high ranking officials from Senai Airport had been approached by private parties looking to initiate the business and looking to use Senai Airport as a distribution hub for the initiative.

Negotiations are however still at an infancy stage and little is known of how much Senai Airport will have to spend on the initiative.

It is also understood that the private parties are looking to rope in national carrier Malaysia International Shipping Corp Bhd (MISC) to transport the halal via sea, and are expected to commence negotiations anytime soon.

The move could be a boon to Senai Airport's cargo transportation, as the global market for halal food is estimated to be as much as RM8 trillion, and the Federal Government has expressed interest of transforming Malaysia into a hub for halal foodstuffs.

At presstime, it is still not clear if the private parties are affiliated to Solidvest Sdn Bhd, a company given the mandate by the Foreign Investment Committee, to set up three halal food processing units in peninsular Malaysia at a cost of US$2.9 billion (RM11 billion).

Senai Airport is controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, who also has under his purview the Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd and Johor Port Bhd.

Since Syed Mokhtar took over the airport's operations from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, passenger traffic has surged, gaining as much as 78 per cent in the first six months of the current year to almost 700,000 passengers. Senai has set a target to handle as many as 1.5 million passengers this year.

baqthier

February 21st, 2005, 01:21 PM

Great pics mam. The cargo building looks very decent :)

baqthier

February 21st, 2005, 01:22 PM

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/public71_live.jpg

mams

April 7th, 2005, 05:44 PM

PHASE 1 ..SENAI CARGO CENTRE

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/8678/phase1senaicargocentre6lr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Magician

April 8th, 2005, 03:42 PM

mams

April 8th, 2005, 04:47 PM

OOOHH..WHAT A PITY..probably because AA is grew too fast that they can't handled when something going wrong in the system.

hopefully it will not happen again when they get their A320 end of this year.60 jets to come..

nazrey

April 20th, 2005, 04:25 PM

Senai airport shows the way
Wednesday April 20, 2005
TRAVELLER, Kulai.

AIRPORTS around the world play a crucial role in uplifting the image of a country and its tourist industry.

Hence, when a tourist steps into Malaysia, it is indeed very important for him to have a great feeling about our country from the impression he gets of the airport.

Recalling my travelling experiences to various parts of the country by air, I would like to congratulate the management of the Senai Airport for providing great customer service to all air travellers arriving at or taking off from the airport.

The airport not only has a totally new look but has also introduced substantial amounts of value-added services, such as free porter service, affordable feeder buses, secure car parks, friendly and pretty customer service personnel, and more.

On one occasion, when I was travelling from the City Lounge managed by the airport in Johor Baru to the airport, I was a little confused over the feeder bus service.

However, I was personally guided by airport terminal general manager Kennedy Ayu and his customer service assistants on how to get to the airport safely.

It was a very positive and motivating gesture for the top management to so willingly get down to the ground to help.

Senai Airport has set a good standard for our service industry. The services it provides are indeed a good example for other service sectors in the country to follow.

The success of our service industry will determine the growth of our nation and help us achieve our vision.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:44 PM

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Senai Airport nominated for two awards

29-11-2004

Senai International Airport has been nominated for two awards - the “Best Emerging Airport” and “Best Air Cargo Terminal” categories of the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) 2005.

AFSCA, organised by Cargonews Asia and now in its 19th year, is a highlight of the Asian freight industry calendar. More than 42,000 readers of Cargonews Asia, a freight industry newspaper in the region, are polled to nominate and vote the best service providers in Asia's cargo industry.

The “Best Emerging Airport” award recognised up and coming airports that provided a cost-effective, cargo-friendly fee regime and suitable cargo-related infrastructure while freighting less than 500,000 tonnes of cargo per year, Senai Airport said in a statement on Nov 29.

The airport must also demonstrate timely and adequate investment in new infrastructure to meet future demand and excellent facilitation of air cargo ancillary services, including logistics and freight forwarding facilities on site or off.

Other nominees for the Best Emerging Airport category include Macau International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan International Airport and Tianjin Binhai International Airport from China and Nor Bai International Airport from Vietnam.

It said Senai had also been nominated for the “Best Air Cargo Terminal” in Asia award, which recognised airports that have set and clearly communicated its performance standards to shippers, logistics service providers and airlines.

Other contenders for this award include MAS Advanced Cargo Centre, Changi International Airport Services, Singapore Airport Terminal Services, DHL Express Cargo Terminal (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals, Shanghai Putong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co Ltd and Thai Airport Ground Services Co Ltd.

The list of finalists will be announced in February 2005 and the winners on April 27, 2005.

“These nominations mark a milestone as it shows that Senai is being recognised as a fast-growing cargo and logistics hub in Asia,” said chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Lars Gronsedt.

“We will continue to deliver services and speed up expansion plans to show players from airlines, cargo carriers, freight forwarders to cargo agents and shippers that we are committed and ready to serve them,” added Gronsedt.

Senai is undergoing a 10-year development plan to transform itself into a key passenger, cargo and logistics hub in Asia. Since SATS, the airport operator, took over operations a year ago, the airport has been aggressively growing its cargo business via its newly built cargo complex, capable of handling up to 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

The airport aims to capitalise on the world air cargo market, which is expanding at an annual growth of 6.2%. It is eyeing the large Johor-based cargo volume that is currently served by neighbouring airports.

Senai has also appointed Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its representative in Europe as part of its push to attract industry players to use the airport as their distribution base in Asia-Pacific.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:45 PM

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/images/logo_edgeasia.gif

Senai Airport offers free porter service

26-01-2004

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) has introduced a free porter service to assist with passenger baggage, making it the first in the country to do so.

In a statement yesterday, SATS said the service comprised a 12-member team responsible for assisting travellers at the airport.

Senai Airport manager (airport) Raymond Wong said: "We are true to our word when we say passenger convenience comes first.
"The free porter service is just one of the new passenger services at the airport, and we plan to roll out more over the next few months."

He said Senai Airport was the only airport in Malaysia providing free porter service in line with some of the world's renowed airports such as Germany's Frankfurt Airport.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:46 PM

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Senai Airport monthly passenger traffic doubles

17-02-2004
By Jimmy Yeow, 5.28pm

Senai Airport in Johor has seen a surge in passenger traffic since its takeover by independent operator Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) in November 2003.

Passengers passing through the airport during the past two months almost doubled to 275,250 from 149,950 in the same period a year ago, said Senai Airport manager Raymond Wong in a statement on Feb 17.

He said the rise in passenger traffic was due to an increase in flights to 40 daily from 22 flights a day previously.

Both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia had scheduled more flights to and from Johor and were planning additional local and overseas destinations, he said. "This has attracted more passengers from Malaysia and Singapore alike.”

Wong said the airport expected a further rise in passenger numbers with the inroduction of AirAsia’s service to Bangkok.

He said the increase in passenger traffic had boosted monthly sales of local service providers by as much as 40%.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:47 PM

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Senai airport targets Johor-based cargo
17-08-2004
By Joseph Chin

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, with its new RM13 million cargo complex, is eyeing the large Johor-based cargo presently shipped through nearby airports.

The airport's chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt said on Aug 17 that the Senai cargo complex, which can handle two full Boeing 747 freighters and three narrow-body freighters at any one time, was operational on Aug 1.

"For a start, we are eyeing the large Johor-based cargo volumes that presently go through other neighbouring airports," he said in a statement on Aug 17.

"It makes economic sense to use Senai's cargo facility as it has good attributes, for instance proximity, convenience, semi-automatic cargo equipment and handling system and competitive operating costs."

The construction of the complex took 10 months and has a built-up area of 3,600 sq metres. It is capable of handling up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

The complex forms a key part of the company's long-term development plant to transform the airport into a key logistics hub in Asia.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:48 PM

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Senai Airport eyes perishable cargo biz
08-10-2004

Senai International Airport is pitching itself to be a hub for perishable cargo at the second annual global perishable logistics group conference in Dubai from Oct 8 to 12.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) is inviting the world’s key freight forwarders and traders of perishable cargo to use Senai airport as a regional processing and transit hub, according to a company statement on Oct 8.

“We want to enhance our position in this market sector which makes up one of the biggest air freight components, accounting for almost 14% of air freight volume,” said SATS chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt. SAT is the operator of Senai airport.

Perishable air cargo is expected to grow at a compounded rate of 10% per year. By 2010, the volume is expected to be over 10 million tonnes, according to industry reports.

At the Dubai conference, SATS will showcase Senai airport's capabilities in handling perishable cargo.

Gronsedt said with Malaysia’s import food bill of RM14 billion a year and exports of RM10 billion, there was a need for an efficient and cost-effective hub for handling perishables.

The bulk of shipment of transit perishable cargo comprises seafood and fruits transported to Japan, Hong Kong and Far East countries. Ornamental fish breeders have also stepped up exports by air and this segment is a growth area.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:49 PM

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MAHB sells Senai Airport to SATS for RM80 mln
30-09-2003
By Thomas Soon, 10.45pm

Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd is disposing of the Sultan Ismail Airport in Senai, Johor, to Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM80 million cash.

In a statement on Sept 30, MAHB said its unit Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd signed an agreement with SATS on the same day for the disposal of the business and assets of the Senai airport.

The Edge weekly reported in November last year that SATS, a company linked to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, had been given the nod to develop Senai Airport into an air cargo hub.

MAHB said the disposal consideration was based on the unaudited net book value of its assets at the Senai Airport amounting to about RM76.78 million as at Aug 31, 2003. The deal is expected to be completed next month.

The group will use the cash proceeds for working capital and airport related investments. MAHB expected the disposal to result in a profit of about RM822,216 at both the company and group level.

The airport is located in Senai, about 30km from Johor Bahru. Its turnover and operations losses totalled RM8.80 million and RM300,000 respectively in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2002.

It has one runway measuring 3,354 metres and a passenger terminal that could accommodate 2.5 million passengers per annum. In 2002, it handled: 874,278 passengers; 28,759 aircraft movements; and 3,849 tonnes of cargo.

MAHB said the intended principal activity of SATS was the operations and development of Senai Airport and other air transportation and logistics activities.

It said the proposed disposal was subject to SATS obtaining the license for operating and managing the airport from the Transport Minister.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:52 PM

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SATS to invest RM1 bil on Senai Airport
24-12-2003.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) will invest RM1 billion over the next several years to upgrade Senai Airport as part of its masterplan to transform Johor into an integrated logistics and distribution hub.

SATS director Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said SATS was committed to providing world-class airport infrastructures and facilities as well as efficient services in Johor.

"The development of the airport is part of our masterplan to transform Johor into an integrated logistics and distribution hub.

"We will be investing RM1 billion over the next several years to upgrade current facilities as well as build new passenger and cargo infrastructure for the airport," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said construction of an interim airfreight facility worth RM13 million was already underway and would be fully operational by March.

SATS recently held briefings for over 350 industry players, which included logistics providers, freight forwarders, airlines, and shipping and port personnel, on business opportunities provided by the airport's RM1 billion expansion plans.

"The big turnout of industry players is a clear indication of their support. On our part we are committed to provide world-class infrastructures and facilities as well as efficient services, all of which were once missing in Johor," said Mohd Sidik.

The participants included chief executive officer Yim Choong Chow of Harrier Air - a regional cargo carrier that picked Senai Airport for its operating base earlier this year. It provides ad hoc and scheduled chartered air cargo services to destinations such as Jakarta, Batam, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Taipei, Bintulu, Surabaya, Brunei, Iraq, East Timor and Darwin.

He said logistics providers and freight forwarders were told at the briefings of "Senai Airport's built-in advantage of being located at a major trade route and its linkage to first-class road, railway and port infrastructure".

He said participants learnt about the airport's plan to transform a land bank of 4,000 acres into a range of aviation and logistics-related services with comparatively low operating costs.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:54 PM

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Senai appoints cargo rep for Europe
04-10-2004

Senai International Airport has appointed Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its cargo business representative in Europe.

WingPartners would market the airport’s integrated cargo handling capabilities and distribution network to cargo airlines and logistics companies in Europe, said Senai airport operator Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) in a statement on Oct 4.

It said WingPartners specialised in aviation and shipping-based marketing and brokering and represented a wide range of global industry players, including Polar Air Cargo, British Mediterranean, GB Airways, Excel, MNG Airlines and Nationwide.

Senai selected WingPartners based on its strong European network and extensive industry experience, said SATS chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt.

“A report from Boeing stated that Europe-Asia cargo traffic is registering annual growth averaging 6.7%, which is higher than the global annual growth of 6.2%. We want to divert some of this huge traffic to Senai,” he said.

Commenting on the appointment, WingPartners’ co-partner Robert Arendal said cargo airlines in Europe would clearly see the attractiveness of Senai.

“We are already in talks with several airlines in Europe and the feedback on using Senai as a distribution base in Asia has been very encouraging,” he said.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:55 PM

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Senai woos more airlines
06-12-2004
By Faizal Zakariah

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which is expanding its infrastructure and facilities in line with its aim of becoming the region's air transport hub, is in talks with several airlines to use its airport in Johor, sources say.

Sumatra-based Riau Airlines started flying to the airport on Nov 10 with twice daily scheduled services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays linking Pekanbaru and Senai.

A source tells FinancialDaily that SATS is in prelimary discussions with another three to four airlines, including another Indonesian carrier. Among the parties SATS are wooing are said to be Sino Fortune Sdn Bhd for its thrice weekly flights to India and Singapore-based Airmark Aviation (S) Pty Ltd to re-instate services after stopping its operations early this year.

Prior to the Riau Airlines, only Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia operated from Senai Airport. With the latest addition, Senai is now linked to 13 cities throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Riau Airlines serves Melaka and Penang in Malaysia, and Batam, Medan, Natuna, Padang, Palembang, Pangkal, Pinang, Pekanbaru and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Senai handled 1.15 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, a 75% jump from the 654,000 passengers a year ago, a company official says.

He attributes the increase in the airport’s passenger traffic to more flights by MAS and AirAsia, which has also introduced new local and regional destinations via the airport.

Senai Airport could see a healthy increase in air travellers from Singapore with the new City Lounge, a transit point at Hentian Sentral in Johor Bahru, he adds.

Senai Airport's passenger traffic is set to meet the 1.5 million target by year-end against 900,000 passengers in 2003. It aims to handle 2.5 million passengers in 2005 by having a minimum of 68 daily flights compared with the current 42.

He says SATS will extend the airport’s existing grooved runway to 3,800m from 3,354m to accommodate long-range aircraft and build a parallel taxiway to increase capacity. The company has already invested RM50 million on the upgrading exercise.

On air cargo traffic, the official says SATS expects to handle 18,000 tonnes by year-end and 50,000 tonnes in 2005. Its new fully integrated cargo complex began operations in August this year.

It targets to handle 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually within the next five years. It is wooing air cargo and logistics players in Europe and the Middle East to use Senai as their distribution base in Asia.

Currently, the cargo complex can handle up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually. It can take cargo from two B747 freighters and three narrow body freighters at any one time.

SATS has identified a 15.2ha site near the airport for the second phase of the Cargo Terminal to house its warehouse and logistics operations.

He says a cargo agent complex will also be built and eventually be gazetted as a Free Commercial Zone Area, which will allow for breaking bulk, grading, repacking, relabelling and transshipment activities.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 08:59 PM

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Lien Hoe to develop Senai land over next 4 years
19-04-2002
By Thomas Soon, 12.05pm

Lien Hoe Corporation Bhd's new management is targeting to develop a 40ha parcel of land in Senai, Johor, with a gross development value of about RM85 million over the next four years.

Lien Hoe's new chairman and managing director Datuk Yap Sing Hock said the company hoped to launch the mixed development project by early next year.

"We will launch the Senai project late this year or early next year. The prospects of the property market look brighter," he told reporters after Lien Hoe's EGM on April 19. Yap was appointed to the new board on Jan 30, 2002.

At the EGM, the company obtained shareholders' approval to dispose of Holiday Plaza Sdn Bhd to Windigold Sdn Bhd for RM92.15 million in RM7.94 million cash and assumption of RM84.21 million liabilities.

With the assumption of the liabilities, Lien Hoe's total borrowings will be reduced to RM246.43 million.

Yap said the company was also targeting to sell off 85 apartment units in Johor Baru for another RM20 million to RM25 million, which will be used to further reduce its debts. The apartments are currently being rented out.

Lien Hoe is also aiming to increase its occupancy to between 90 per cent and 100 per cent at Lien Hoe Complex in Johor Baru and Menara Complex in Kuala Lumpur. It also owns the Armada Hotel in Petaling Jaya.

Menara Lien Hoe and Lien Hoe Complex currently have occupancy rates of about 75 per cent. Armada Hotel currently has an occupancy rate of between 75 per cent and 80 per cent.

Lien Hoe also owns Atria Properties Sdn Bhd, which it bought at RM51.64 million last year. It plans to redevelop the Atria shopping complex and the vicinity at the appropriate time depending on the market conditions.

Yap said they also hoped to complete the acquisition of Billiontex Industries Sdn Bhd and Rusella Sdn Bhd at RM107.49 million via the issue of loan stocks within this year.

The company has asked the Securities Commission for an extension of time until June 30 to implement the proposals involving the two companies. With the acquisition, Lien Hoe will add another parcel into its land bank measuring 48ha to work on.

"The company will be in a better position next year," he said.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 09:00 PM

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SATS passenger traffic up 78% in 1H
11-08-2004

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd says it recorded a 77.69% increase in passenger traffic to 686,964 for the first six months this year from 386,596 a year earlier and is on track to handle 1.5 million passengers by year-end.

Its chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt said Senai anticipated continued strong traffic for the second half of the year based on growing public confidence and affordability of travel. Senai Airport handled 900,000 passengers last year.

He said July’s passenger throughput of 112,613 was encouraging. “With festivities and the holiday season in the final quarter of the year, we might surpass our original target,” he said in a statement on Aug 11.

He said the stronger passenger movement at Senai was due to a combination of factors, including increased flight frequencies, attractive regional destinations and the availability of lower fares, which make air travel more affordable.

“On a larger scale, Senai is riding on encouraging economic growth, particularly amongst Asian countries, which translates into rising tourism numbers into Malaysia,” Gronsedt said.

He said of the 686,964 passengers who used Senai during the January-June period, more than 30% were from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

Senai is currently undertaking an upgrade and expansion of its passenger facilities and services in anticipation of rising travel demand. Also in the pipeline are new passenger conveniences worth RM40 million.

“Our plan is to reposition Senai as a southern hub for domestic travel in Malaysia, while adding a regional dimension to meet the planned rise in air passenger count,” he said.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 09:01 PM

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SATS to handle AirAsia cargo
20-09-2004

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) has been appointed as the cargo ground handler for AirAsia by the latter's agent Cargo Counts GmbH.

In a statement on Sept 20, SATS chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt said that under the agreement the company would handle AirAsia’s domestic and international cargo and provide services ranging from build and break, scanning and weighing, cargo manifesting, labelling, towing to and from the aircraft, documentation and transhipment.

“This marks our move in building up cargo traffic and playing an active role in expanding the region’s air cargo industry.

"We are ready to serve major cargo players in using our airport as a regional base, as our cargo complex is able to match facilities and services offered by international airports,” he said.

Senai Airport had projected to handle more than 50,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005. It had recently completed the construction of a new RM13 million cargo complex with a build up area of 3,600 sq metres that is capable of handling 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

nazrey

May 3rd, 2005, 09:06 PM

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Senai, PTP offers facilities to aid agencies
03-01-2005
By Jimmy Yeow

Senai International Airport (Senai) and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) have teamed up to offer their excellent regional and international sea-air-road-rail connection facilities to international agencies rushing in aid to the tsunami affected areas.

In a joint statement on Jan 3, the port and airport operating companies said difficulties in reaching the tsunami stricken areas could be overcome with the use of the multimodal facilities available in Johor, with its close proximity to Sumatra.

The multi-modal synergy between Senai and PTP would enable effective redistribution of essential relief items by sea or air. There is a minimal distance of 30km to 40km between the airport and the port.

“Both Senai and PTP have the capacity and capabilities to act as a staging point for international relief operations currently underway for the tsunami stricken areas and in particular, the devastated province of Aceh,” the two companies said.

Senai is also suitable for this role of receiving long-range aircraft that will need landing and refueling services, including those using the trans Pacific route from the US west coast to hard-hit Sri Lanka, they added.

nazrey

May 4th, 2005, 03:52 AM

Causeway Link - Senai Airport

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nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:15 PM

Map from Singapore to Senai International Airport

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nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:22 PM

Senai Taps Europe’s Air Cargo Market
October 04, 2004

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Appoints WingPartners as representative in Europe SENAI, JOHOR, October 4 : Senai International Airport’s push to attract Europe-based air cargo players, has seen it appoint Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its representative in Europe.

This was revealed by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), operator of Senai, which wants to turn Johor into an Asia-Pacific distribution hub.

The alliance will see WingPartners marketing the airport’s integrated cargo handling capabilities and distribution network to cargo airlines and logistics companies in Europe.

WingPartners, which specialises in aviation and shipping-based marketing and brokering, represents a wide range of global industry players including Polar Air Cargo, British Mediterranean, Sierra National, MNG Airlines and Keppel Shipping.

Lars Gronsedt, chief commercial officer of SATS said Senai picked WingPartners based on its strong European network and extensive industry experience.

“This partnership will allow Senai to gain a stronger foothold in the European air cargo market. WingPartners will be our `voice’ in educating the market about Senai and act as our `eyes and ears’ in identifying prospective customers.

Gronsedt went on to say, “Europe is important to Malaysia as the world air cargo market continues to expand. A report from Boeing stated the Europe-Asia cargo traffic is registering annual growth averaging 6.7 per cent, higher than world annual growth of 6.2 per cent. We want to divert some of this huge traffic to Senai.”

Commenting on Wing Partners’ appointment, Robert Arendal, a co-partner said, “Cargo airlines in Europe will clearly see the attractiveness of Senai. We need to educate them on Senai’s strategic position as their southern gateway into South East Asia, one of the most dynamic economic zones in the world.

“We are already in talks with several airlines in Europe and feedback on using Senai as a distribution base in Asia has been very encouraging.”

With its newly built RM13 million cargo complex now fully operational, Senai is aggressively wooing customers at the local, regional and global levels.

Said Gronsedt, “While we tap into the wider global market, there is a huge amount of local-based cargo currently being handled by other airports. The numbers speak for themselves.

“We are looking at close to 200,000 tons of local cargo within an hour’s trucking range which could be handled by our new facilities.

“This untapped `transfer cargo’ market will make a significant contribution to Senai’s cargo traffic as a whole. When we add this to the freighter and belly hold cargo from our Airport, we predict at least 200,000 tons of cargo will move to and from Southern Malaysia within the next 24 months.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:25 PM

Global Logistics Expert Joins Senai Airport
March 25, 2004

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SENAI, JOHOR. March 16: A global logistics expert who served as senior vice president with the world’s largest shipping line has come on board the management team of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS).

Lars B. Gronsedt, former Senior Vice President of A.P. Moller – Maersk has taken on the post of Chief Commercial Officer at SATS on March 1. Gronsedt is responsible for the entire commercial operations of the airport, including passengers, cargo, retail and industrial land activities.

Commenting on the latest addition to the SATS management team, Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman, director of SATS said, “I believe in any organisation getting the best people is of absolute importance. Lars is one of them and a key member of the Senai team”.

“This presents a good opportunity for our local personnel to learn from the world’s best and benefit from the knowledge transfer from their international colleagues.”

Gronsedt, who has more than 10 years of experience in Asia’s transport and logistics sector said, “My decision to leave a very senior position at the world’s largest shipping line to be part of the new Senai Airport lies in my strong belief in the airport’s winning potential.”

Gronsedt joins a strong team of logistics and aviation experts hired by SATS since it took over operations of the airport last November. Among them are Noel Gulliver, general manager of SATS’ airfreight operations who hailed from CF Emery, Jardine Asia Pacific and Maersk Logistics; and Raymond Wong who was previously attached to Schipol Asia and is currently SATS’ airport manager responsible for managing the daily operations of the passenger terminal.

Sidik also revealed that SATS plans to increase its workforce from the current 160 to 300 by year-end to meet the airport’s expansion plans.

“With our fast track upgrading and expansion to become a regional logistics hub, we need a quick infusion of know-how from international level managers so that we can reach our growth target.

“In line with this, new staff and those we absorbed from the previous operator are undergoing rigorous retraining to upgrade their skills,” added Sidik.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:27 PM

Senai Airport Is First With Free Porter Service
January 26, 2004

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SENAI, JOHOR. January 26 – Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) has introduced a free porter service to assist with passenger baggage, making Senai Airport the first in the country to do so.

The service, which commenced in December 2003, is carried out by a 12-men team who are responsible for assisting travellers departing from or arriving at Senai Airport. They unload luggage as passengers drive up to the airport drop-off point, help at the check-in counters, assist at the baggage carousel and ferry bags right up to waiting vehicles.

Raymond Wong, airport manager of Senai Airport said, “We are true to our word when we say passenger convenience comes first. The free porter service is just one of the new passenger services at the airport, and we plan to roll out more over the next few months.”

“Our porter service gives travellers peace of mind when it comes to managing their luggage. We used to see passengers struggling to carry those heavy bags, and now we are saying -- let us do it for you,” added Wong.

Wong said Senai Airport is the only airport in Malaysia providing free porter service, in line with some of the world’s renowned airports, such as Germany’s Frankfurt Airport.

“While we may not be as large as Frankfurt Airport at the moment, we are emulating some of the world’s best practices to ensure passenger convenience,” added Wong.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:31 PM

Senai International Airport Opens Its Johor Bahru City Lounge
June 01, 2004

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JOHOR BAHRU, May 31: Air travellers using Senai International Airport can now use the airport’s newest passenger facility located in the heart of Johor Bahru.

Called the Senai Airport City Lounge, the facility acts as a downtown transit point that provides a two-way bus shuttle service from Johor Bahru to the airport and vice versa.

Freddie Long, Chairman of Johor Tourism and Environment Committee officiated at the launch ceremony of the City Lounge, witnessed by over 100 guests.

“The City Lounge reflects a strong commitment by Senai International Airport to provide premium services to air travellers and the public, even if it means going well beyond the airport vicinity,” said Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman, director of Senai International Airport.

"We are confident this facility will be a huge success as it provides a cheap and hassle-free trip for travelers across the causeway to get to Senai International Airport.”

The number of air travellers from Singapore flying via Senai International Airport has increased significantly by over 60 per cent in the last five months compared to the same period last year.

“Looking at this positive trend, we want to encourage many more passengers from Singapore to use Senai International Airport via the City Lounge. The facility creates an option for Singapore residents who can either use the bus shuttle service or drive directly to the airport,” added Sidik.

The 3,900 square feet City Lounge, located at the Hentian Sentral Kotaraya Bus Terminal, operates Express Shuttle Buses which depart every 30 minutes to and from the airport.

The service is free of charge for air travellers carrying valid tickets during the introductory period of three months, from June 1 to August 31,2004.

Meanwhile, air travellers from Singapore can take designated buses from the city-state to get to the Johor Bahru City Lounge at a minimal fare.

To get to the City Lounge from Singapore, passengers can board Causeway Link Yellow Bus from Kranji MRT every 15 minutes at S$1 per trip or ride the SBS Transit Bus No 170 (x) from Queen Street or Woodlands Road.

To return to Singapore, passengers can board the Yellow Bus from City Lounge every 15 minutes at RM1 per trip, take the SBS Transit Bus No 170 back to Queen Street or Woodlands Road or board a taxi.

Sidik went on to say,”The new service will go a long way to increase passenger volume at Senai International Airport, boost tourism into Malaysia and Johor in particular.

“At the same time, it helps increase the number of visitors crossing from Johor to Singapore, so that we create a win-win situation for Malaysia and Singapore. “

Airport data showed during the first five months of this year, 520,583 travellers have passed through Senai International Airport compared to 321,033 for the same period the previous year.

AirAsia uses Senai International Airport as its designated southern hub to fly passengers to such regional destinations as Bangkok and Jakarta, as well as domestic destinations such as Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, national carrier Malaysia Airlines flies to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur from the airport.

Amongst the services available at the City Lounge are flight and bus information display, customer service counter, luggage services, taxi counter and a café.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:33 PM

Upgrading At Senai International Airport
July 06, 2004

SENAI, JOHOR. July 6: A total of RM50 million has so far been invested into upgrading Senai International Airport (Senai), with an additional investment of around RM20 million slated over the next six months.

The investment has gone into expanding and adding on infrastructure, facilities and services at Senai International Airport (Senai), Malaysia’s southern most aviation facility.

This was revealed by Lars Gronsedt, chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), management company of Senai and the country’s only privately-owned airport operator.

With the new operator’s aggressive push to lure passengers from the Southern catchment zone, Senai has seen a 70 per cent jump in passenger traffic in 2004 compared to 2003.

The airport aims to increase its passenger throughput to at least 1.5 million by year end against 0.9 million in 2003.

Gronsedt said, ”Our current investment and upgrading plans are on track to transform Senai into a 21st century airport that can serve as a modern-day regional air and logistics hub.

“While we budgeted for a RM5 million operating loss for the initial six months of this year, SATS managed to pare this down to just RM4 million through improved operational efficiencies and the faster rise in passenger traffic.

We are very pleased with the results so far and we intend to keep up if not increase our pace.”

SATS is now working closely with several cargo operators and logistics players to relocate their operations at the airport’s newly completed cargo facility which started operations on July 1.

Known as the Phase 1 Cargo Facility, the 3,400 sq meter structure is capable of handling 100,000 tonnes of cargo per annum.

It is equipped with storage area, build and break area, handling and storage for perishable items and dangerous goods area and a one-stop Customs centre.

“We have opened the doors of our newly built cargo facility and have been receiving positive feedback from numerous parties in the cargo industry. They intend to capitalise on Senai as a centre of distribution in the Asia Pacific region,” added Gronsedt.

“The new cargo facility, which meets international standards, marks the beginning of an integrated cargo operation at Senai, which previously was minimal.”

To a report which stated SATS would operate aircraft, Gronsedt said, “We will not pursue the option of buying or leasing cargo aircraft under our own operations, but we will focus on facilitating players in the cargo freighter business in our role as a cargo hub.”

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:35 PM

Now everyone can park and fly at Sultan Ismail International Airport
August 10, 2004

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SENAI, JOHOR BAHRU, August 10, Flight passengers departing from the Sultan Ismail International Airport can now fly with greater peace of mind with the enhanced security system and affordable parking rates now available at its new car park.

The new covered 400-bay car park, which complements the current 800-bay open parking car park, is equipped with enhanced surveillance and detection equipment including CCTV security system; security fencing, 24-hour patrols, and is brightly lit at night.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, which operates Malaysia's southern-most aviation facility, said that top-notch security equipment and practices form part of its move to be on par with other international airports, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

"It is our top priority to ensure travellers are assured of their personal safety and belongings while at Senai," said Kennedy Ayu, Senai International Airport's acting airport manager.

"The number of travellers who drive and park their vehicles at Senai, especially those coming from Singapore, is on the rise as they find this option fast, convenient and cheap.

"Enhanced security measures installed at the new and existing car parks are assurances that you can park your vehicles at Senai, regardless of length of stay, and fly with peace of mind."

Kennedy added, "While security is top of the list, the new car park also provides such services as valet parking and auto payment for the convenience of its users.

"Our rates are also very competitive, particularly long-term parking. For example, parking for the duration of a week costs only RM160, two weeks is at RM 260 and three weeks is at RM360.

Passengers who intend to park their car for a long-term period are encouraged to utilize the new covered car park in order to enjoy the low-cost advantage, as compared to the existing car park which is based on normal parking rates.

Payment can be made by cash, Touch n Go and credit cards.

For further enquiries, please contact :-
Mr Shahrul Azmi or Yussaini Md Yusoff at 07-2246040 of Metro Parking.

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nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:36 PM

Senai On Track For Air Cargo Hub Status
September 20, 2004

SENAI, JOHOR, September 20 : Efforts to boost air cargo throughput in Johor has seen Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), clinching rights to provide cargo handling services for no-frills airline AirAsia.

The recent appointment of SATS as one of AirAsia’s cargo handling agents was made by Cargo Counts GmbH, a global expert in total cargo management hired by the low-fare airline to sell and market its freight capacity.

SATS, operator of Senai International Airport, recently completed construction of a new RM13 million cargo complex. It has a built up area of 3,600 sq m and is capable of handling up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Under the agreement, Senai will handle AirAsia’s domestic and international cargo and provide services spanning build & break, scanning and weighing, cargo manifesting, labeling, towing to and from the aircraft, documentation and transshipment.

Lars Gronsedt, Chief Commercial Officer of SATS said the appointment was a good start for Senai’s integrated cargo operations. “This marks our move in building up cargo traffic and playing an active role in expanding the region’s air cargo industry.

“We are ready to serve major cargo players in using our airport as a regional base, as our cargo complex is able to match facilities and services offered by international airports in the region.”

Senai aims to handle around 50,000 tonnes of cargo by 2005 . The construction of the cargo complex is one of several initiatives SATS is undertaking to realize its ten-year development program to become Asia’s passenger, cargo and logistics hub.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:37 PM

36 Extra Flights At Senai For Festive Season
November 11, 2004

SENAI, JOHOR. Nov 11 : In anticipation of higher passenger traffic, Senai International Airport (Senai) is catering for an additional 36 flights during the double celebration of Hari Raya and Deepavali.

Malaysia Airlines Systems (MAS), the country’s national carrier will be adding extra flights from November 10 to 12 for those heading to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Chengdu, China.

Meanwhile, low fare airline AirAsia will add flights in and out Senai to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching from November 10 to 12.

“With the cooperation of MAS and Air Asia, we are pleased to be able to play a part in uniting families during this festive season,” said Kennedy Ayu, airport manager.

“We anticipate over 40,000 travellers to use Senai during this festive period. We’re all prepared and our facilities and services are more than capable in handling the surge in traffic. Security will also be heightened during this busy period,” Ayu added.

Senai has proven to be a convenient airport with various passenger facilities. Its free two-way shuttle service from the Airport to its City Lounge located at downtown Johor Bahru is popular particularly amongst air travellers from Singapore.

The airport also has a 24-hour secured parking facility for travellers who wish to park and fly.

Since Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) took over airport operations one year ago, it has succeeded in boosting passenger traffic.

Passenger throughput from January to October 04 was 1.15mil, an increase of over 75 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. The airport aims to handle 1.5 million passengers by year end, about 70 per cent more from 0.9 million in 2003.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:38 PM

Indonesia's Riau Airlines Opts For Senai
November 13, 2004

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/13nov04_press3.jpg

SENAI, Johor, November 13 : Air travelers can now fly direct to tourist hotspots at Indonesia's scenic Riau province via Riau Airlines – the latest airline to use Senai International Airport (Senai) as a strategic link in Malaysia.

Riau Airlines, based in Sumatra, begins flights today between the Riau provincial capital of Pekanbaru and Senai, offering scheduled services twice a day on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Other destinations in Riau from Senai include Jambi, Palembang, Padang, Pangkal Pinang and Bukit Tinggi.

Flight RA-1540 touched down at Senai at 11.10 am. A distinguished list of passengers on board the Fokker 50 included Bapak Sudirwan Hamid, Kepala Dinas Parawisata representing the Governor of Riau Province, His Excellency Bapak Rusli Zainal S.E. The Riau delegation was received by Senai's welcome party, led by the Chief Commercial Officer, Lars Gronsedt and the Airport Manager, Kennedy Ayu. Also on hand to welcome the delegation was Heru Nurhayadi, the managing director of Riau Airlines who had flown in earlier. Senior state officials led by Freddie Loong, Chairman of the Johor Executive Committee for Tourism and Environment were also present.

"We're happy to welcome Riau Airlines to Senai International Airport. This partnership will allow air travelers access to this beautiful tourist destination and simultaneously offering the people of Riau, a strategic link to reach Malaysia and other parts of the region, in particular Singapore," said Lars Gronsedt, chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS), operator of the airport.

"We hope that this new partnership will harness a two-way relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia in jointly promoting tourism and exploring business opportunities.

"We are committed to building a strong and fruitful relationship with Riau Airlines, creating a conducive environment for both parties to develop their business," added Gronsedt.

Senai's air network has increased with the addition of a new link, reinforcing its position as a viable alternative aviation hub in the region.

With the addition of Riau Airlines, Senai is now linked to 13 cities throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Riau Airlines, which began operations in December 2001, is owned by the government of the province and region of Riau on Sumatra island and currently serves fifteen destinations, namely Senai, Melaka and Penang in Malaysia and twelve in Indonesia comprising Batam, Dumai, Jambi, Lhoksumawe, Matak, Medan, Natuna, Padang, Palembang, Pangkal Pinang, Pekan Baru and Tanjung Pinang, effectively linking Pekanbaru with peninsular Malaysia and islands in the province, including the Natuna islands in the South China Sea.

Riau province includes a sizable slice of the eastern Sumatran coast and more than 3,000 islands of all sizes. Sitting astride one of the world's oldest and busiest trade routes, the Straits of Malacca, its largest island, Bintan, is a renowned tourist destination and has extensive bauxite and tin deposits.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:39 PM

Senai Up For Two AFSCA Awards
November 30, 2004

SENAI, Johor, November 30 : Senai International Airport (Senai) has been nominated for the ‘Best Emerging Airport’ and ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal’ categories of the Asian Freight and Supply Chain (AFSCA) Awards 2005.

AFSCA, organised by Cargonews Asia and now in its 19th year, is a major highlight of the Asian freight industry calendar. More than 42,000 readers of Cargonews Asia, the leading freight industry newspaper in the region, are polled to nominate and vote the best service providers in Asia's cargo industry.

The ‘Best Emerging Airport’ award recognizes up and coming airports that provide a cost effective, cargo-friendly fee regime and suitable cargo related infrastructure while freighting less than 500,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

The airport must also demonstrate timely and adequate investment in new infrastructure to meet future demand and excellent facilitation of air cargo ancillary services, including logistics and freight forwarding facilities on site or off.

Other nominees for the Best Emerging Airport category include three from China, namely Macau International Airport, Shenzhen Baoan International Airport and Tianjin Binhai International Airport and also Nor Bai International Airport from Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Senai has also been nominated for the ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal’ in Asia award, recognizing airports which have set and clearly communicated its performance standards to shippers, logistics service providers and airlines.

Other contenders for this award include MAS Advanced Cargo Centre, Changi International Airport Services, Singapore Airport Terminal Services, DHL Express Cargo Terminal (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals, Shanghai Putong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co Ltd and Thai Airport Ground Services Co Ltd.

“These nominations mark a milestone as it shows that Senai is being recognized as a fast growing cargo and logistics hub in Asia,” said Lars Gronsedt, chief commercial officer of Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS), operator of the airport.

“We will continue to deliver services and speed up expansion plans to show players from airlines, cargo carriers, freight forwarders to cargo agents and shippers that we are committed and ready to serve them,” added Gronsedt.

Senai is undergoing a ten-year development plan to transform itself into a key passenger, cargo and logistics hub in Asia. Since SATS took over operations a year ago, the airport is aggressively growing its cargo business via its newly built cargo complex, capable of handling up to 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

The airport aims to capitalize on the world air cargo market which is expanding at an annual growth of 6.2 per cent. It is eyeing the large Johor-based cargo volume which is currently served by neighbouring airports.

Senai has also appointed Copenhagen-based WingPartners as its representative in Europe as part of its push to attract industry players to use the airport as their distribution base in Asia-Pacific.

The voting ballots for the AFSCA Awards are independently audited by Ernst & Young who will announce the list of finalists in February 2005 and the winners on April 27, 2005.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:41 PM

SENAI AIRPORT BOOSTS REGIONAL RESENCE - Participates in Premier Industry Gathering
January 24, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, JAN 24, Senai International Airport aims to boost its role as a fast growing regional passenger hub during the upcoming Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation’s (CAPA) industry gatherings later this month.

The Senai team will participate in the Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation and Tourism Outlook 2005 meeting from January 23-25 and the 2nd Annual Asia Pacific Low Cost Airline Symposium 2005, from January 26-27.

The Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation and Tourism Outlook 2005 will see aviation professionals address major issues facing the industry today, such as growth prospects for airports, the impact of rising fuel costs on profitability and factors affecting travel trends this year.

Meanwhile, the Low Cost Airline Symposium 2005 expects to gather under one roof industry players, chief executives, budget airline specialists, senior government officials, airport operators and suppliers to discuss key issues and challenges brought about by the growing number of budget carriers, particularly in the Asian region.

“As an upcoming regional passenger hub, it is strategic for us to participate in major industry events to gain first hand knowledge of global and regional aviation trends and meet the key players themselves,” said Lars Gronsedt, Chief Commercial Officer of Senai International Airport.

“At the same time, these events allow us from Senai to demonstrate our capabilities and competitive edge. We want to make a compelling case for businesses that wish to expand their influence in this region and use Senai as a launch pad for their operations.

“The aviation industry has dynamic challenges in the wake of rising costs which have impacted profit levels of airlines. In this regard, we want to enhance the awareness of Senai’s position as an alternative hub where operating costs are significantly lower,” added Gronsedt.

The Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation and Tourism Outlook 2005 will see heads of major airlines headlining speakers at the conference.

Meanwhile, the Annual Asia Pacific Low Cost Airline Symposium 2005 will feature Tony Davis, chief executive of Tiger Airways, Brett Godfrey, head of Virgin Blue and Con Korfiastis, Jetstar Asia’s chief executive among the high profile speakers who will share their strategies on the growth of low cost airlines.

Both events will be held in Suntec City, Singapore.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:42 PM

Senai Boosts Marketing And Ground Handling Operations
January 28, 2005

SENAI, JOHOR, January 28: Senai International Airport (Senai) has moved to strengthen its ground handling operations and marketing, with Zulkifli Mohd Hussein coming on board as General Manager of Ground Services & Cargo Division and Kingsley Khoo as Marketing Manager attached to the Sales, Marketing & Corporate Communications Division.

In his new role, Zulkifli will oversee the Cargo Handling and Ground Handling units in providing efficient and safe services to Senai customer’s, including airlines, freighter operators and freight forwarders.

Currently, Senai’s ground services division provides support in aircraft servicing, loading and unloading passenger baggage and cargo, baggage sorting and security, handling passenger check-in and operations of specialised equipment.

Zulkifli moves to Senai from his previous job as head of ground handling operations with KL Airport Services. With over 30 years of extensive airport experience, he has covered frontline passenger handling, general operations, passenger service systems, station management and ground handling.

Meanwhile, Kingsley Khoo’s role as the Marketing Manager is to look into route development to and fro Senai International Airport as well as develop the total ‘package’ which the airport provides to its customers. Khoo was with Singapore Airlines where he was involved in flight operations for two years. Just prior to joining Senai, he was with a Singapore-based international consumer retail brand, and was in charge of market development for the Middle East sector.

Senai is aggressively tapping into the expertise of local and foreign industry experts as part of its drive to become the region’s key passenger, cargo and logistics hub.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:44 PM

Getting Europeans to Senai
February 07, 2005
BY T. SELVA

THE Senai Cargo Centre in Johor aims to attract Middle East and Europe-based air cargo players to use the airport as their regional base.

According to Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt, Europe is important to Malaysia as the world air cargo market continues to expand.

“A report from Boeing states that Europe-Asia cargo traffic is registering an annual growth averaging 6.7%, higher than the world annual growth of 6.2%.

“We want to divert some of this huge traffic to Senai,” he said in an interview with The Star

“We have appointed Denmark-based WingPartners, which specialises in aviation and shipping-based marketing and brokering, to market Senai’s integrated cargo handling capabilities and distribution network to cargo airlines and logistics companies in Europe.

“This calls for constant education on Senai’s strategic position as their southern gateway into South-East Asia and one of the most dynamic economic zones in the world,” .

Gronsedt said they were in talks with several airlines in Europe and feedback on using Senai as a distribution base in Asia had been very encouraging.

He added that other developments in the pipeline included:

·EXTENDING the existing grooved runway from 3,354m to 3,800m-long to cater for the largest long-range aircrafts;
·BUILDING a parallel taxiway to increase runway capacity and associated high-speed turn-off taxiways;
·EXTENDING the passenger apron to cater for more aircraft parking; and,
·BUILDING a modern cargo agent complex for the increasing number of cargo agents interested in setting up base in Senai.

Gronsedt said phase two of the cargo facility would comprise a freight complex capable of handling 300,000 tonnes per annum and offices of forwarding agents, logistics companies and warehouses.

He said a commercial area would spruce up the vicinity of Senai town as it would contain shopping complexes, factory outlets, business centre and tourist attractions.

“Construction of a logistics and transportation centre, a Custom Immigrations and Quarantine (CIQ) facility are also in progress,” he said.

Gronsedt said development plans at Senai was progressing as scheduled since SATS took over operations of the airport in November 2003.

“We have kick-started a 10-year development plan by immediately upgrading and introducing new passenger facilities and services in preparation for steady growth in passenger traffic.

“The upgrades include expanding parking bays and enhancing security services in the parking area, commencing major renovation works in the existing public concourse; introducing new services such as free porter service and half-hourly two-way shuttle bus service between the airport and our city lounge in downtown Johor Baru.

“The lounge acts as a strategic transit point for air travellers, especially those from Singapore, who are en route to the airport, and vice versa.”

Gronsedt said the upgrading of the terminal would also see the construction of new passenger conveniences and international class shopping facilities comprising multiple food and beverage outlets as well as branded retail outlets offering duty and non duty-free merchandise.

Ultimately, he said Senai would have a very extensive range and variety of food and beverage and retail outlets capable of meeting the needs of up to 4 million passengers and visitors.

On the cargo front, he said they had embarked on several initiatives to expand its cargo business, one of which is the construction of an integrated and sophisticated cargo centre.

He said the new multi-million ringgit complex, the Senai Cargo Centre became fully operational on August 1.

“With an annual handling capacity of 100,000 tonnes, the facility is equipped with a storage area, build and break area, handling and storage for perishable items, vulnerable cage and dangerous goods area.

“The complex also provides office space for airline freighters, cargo agents and customs.

“With the facility fully operational, this marks the beginning of Senai’s fully integrated cargo operations, which previously was minimal,” said Gronsedt.

He said they were aggressively wooing customers at the local, regional and global levels and demonstrating to them that they were ready to serve major cargo players.

“We’re happy with the outcome so far and SATS currently handles AirAsia’s domestic and international cargo, providing such services as build and break, scanning and weighing, cargo manifesting, labelling, towing to and from the aircraft, documentation and transhipment,” he added.

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:46 PM

Senai Cargo ready for challenge
February 07, 2005
BY T. SELVA

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/11jan05.jpg

SENAI Cargo Centre views competition from other cargo hubs in the region as a challenge and motivation to improve and evolve.

“Competition is all around us and as the 'new kid on the block', Senai wishes to meet the challenge of being in close proximity to other established hubs through niche marketing,” said Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) chief commercial officer Lars Gronsedt.

“Yes, we have to prove ourselves to local and global audiences of our capabilities and as you can see, we’re on track with our game plan.

“At the same time, we are positioning Senai as complementing our neighbouring air hubs, namely KLIA, Singapore’s Changi, and Thailand’s Bangkok International Airport,” he said in an interview with The Star.

Gronsedt said these are established players and have developed to become major air hubs in the region.

He said they intend to capitalise on their competitive advantages and steer towards their objective to become a viable alternative hub to the region.

“We believe we have our own unique advantages, amongst which being in the centre of one of Malaysia’s strategic development zones; proximity to key economic centres of the region, yet being located outside the primary commercial centres,” he said.

As a consequence, he said Senai enjoys lower land, labour, construction and logistics costs.

He said all these make a compelling case for businesses, which wish to expand their influence in this region and use Senai as a viable launch pad for their operations.

“As we strive in providing excellent services and facilities, we are committed in ensuring our rates remain competitive and are among the lowest in the region.

“We are confident in playing our role effectively as a key passenger-cargo-logistics hub for unlike city-based airports, Senai has vast land area which can be developed to provide a range of aviation, cargo and logistics-related services.

“There are plans to construct logistics, warehousing and distribution facilities, and a central convergence of the rail-road-sea and air network to undertake value-added logistics activities,” he said.

In addition, Gronsedt said Senai was in the unique position of being able to tap into the synergy with its associate companies such as the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Johor Port to offer a highly viable and integrated logistics solution to our business partners.

In short, he said Senai’s main selling points are its cost competitiveness relative to neighbouring airports and its built-in advantages.

On the logistics centre base at Senai, he said many Johor-based manufacturers and also cargo and logistics players with whom they have had discussions are keen to use Senai as a cargo and distribution hub.

“They need high quality warehouse and logistics centres at Senai airport and when we have made such facilities available, they are all keen to set-up their base in Senai.

“It is part of the airport’s logistics development plan to lay out a major land bank for top quality warehouses and logistics centres which will come into the market at an unbelievably competitive pricing structure.”

He said Senai recorded a passenger throughput of 1.42 million for 2004 and their projection for 2005 is to handle 1.8 million passengers.

As for cargo traffic, he said they handled 18,000 tonnes last year and at least 50,000 tonnes was anticipated for this year.

“I see a positive scenario emerging in the long run, with Senai cultivating stronger links with Singapore and at the same time, establishing more connections with other key cities in Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

“As it is, travellers from Singapore are warming up to using Senai as an alternative gateway to reach major cities in Malaysia and some regional destinations in Indonesia and Thailand.

“We see this as a win-win situation for Senai and Malaysia as a whole, and Singapore in boosting tourism and harnessing new businesses,” Gronsedt said, adding that he sees both parties coming out with more initiatives to strengthen this link in future.

He also said Senai was already well connected to key parts of the peninsular via rail, road and sea.

“We already have air links with Penang in the north, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri to the east.

“High on our 'to-do' list is extending air links with major cities on the east coast of the peninsula such as Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu and in the west coast, Ipoh and Alor Setar.

“In this regard, we’re working closely with our partners Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia to bring this to fruition.

“We also intend to grow the business together with our new partner, Riau Airlines to the destinations they fly to in Indonesia.”

nazrey

May 23rd, 2005, 11:47 PM

Senai Airport Operator Confirms Talks To Seek US$260 Mln Loan
May 21, 2005 16:58 PM

JOHOR BAHARU, May 21 (Bernama) -- Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS), which manages the rapidly-expanding Senai International Airport here, confirmed it has signed a letter of mandate with a Dubai-based financial institution to arrange a US$260 million (RM988 million) loan for the company.

A senior official of SATS, when contacted by Bernama Saturday, confirmed the matter but declined to provide further details on how the company plans to use the loan.

A newspaper in Dubai recently reported that the country's Emirates Islamic Bank and Amlak Finance have won the mandate to arrange the US$260 million Islamic facility for SATS.

The article said, the facility which has been underwritten by the two Islamic institutions, is to fund the building of an airport by SATS.

Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Islamic Bank Ebrahim Fayez Al Shamsi, was quoted as saying the article that the two institutions are working on the structuring of the facility and the funds would be raised either through a syndicated loan or Sukuk or Islamic bonds.

The newspaper also said that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad witnessed the signing ceremony between SATS and the two Dubai-based financial institutions.

-- BERNAMA

musang

May 24th, 2005, 07:50 AM

Senai needs more regional airlines to fly in there... hmmm, the operator has been quite quiet lately.. no news means good news i hope.

yung85

May 24th, 2005, 06:35 PM

cool i am from JB hehehe

nazrey

June 10th, 2005, 07:32 AM

Phase of renovations & visuals
source : senaiairport (http://www.senaiairport.com.my/passenger.asp?id=100017&root=100002)

Senai Cargo agent complex:
Phase1 Senai Cargo agent complex.

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/Phase1_Senai_Cargo_Centre.jpg

Phase2 Senai warehouse Logistic Centre.

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/Phase2_Senai_Cargo_Centre.jpg

We are renovating!

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/Future_Duty_Free_Shop_Outle.jpg

View of Future Duty Free Shop outlets.

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/view_of_departure_lounge.jpg

View of Departure Lounge.

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/view_of_departure_lounge2.jpg

View of Departure Lounge.

http://www.senaiairport.com.my/images/view_of_boarding_bridge.jpg

View of Boarding Bridge.

nazrey

July 11th, 2005, 12:45 PM

Senai Airport launches road feeder service
Updated : 11-07-2005
Media : Business Times

JOHOR-based Senai International Airport has launched its road feeder service, SATS Express, to further facilitate consignment transportation from aircraft to warehouse.

Operated by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), the airport has a 3.4 km-long runway and parking stands, and some 34,000 sq ft in warehousing capacity.

กงThis is in line with our vision as a regional logistics airport to integrate user-friendly initiatives for the benefit of our cargo and logistics business partners,กจ SATS said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur.

Run on a charter-and-console basis, the feeder service, which started three weeks ago, provides ground connection from aircraft to warehouse by road via Senai International Airport.

The offering also includes consolidation services for shipments less than a full-truck load.

The service covers Johor Baru, Singapore, Malacca and the Klang Valley, with consolidation transit points at the Senai Cargo Centre and the KL International Airport in Sepang.

DiannaRahman78

July 24th, 2005, 03:33 AM

hi..

I'm actually working on creating Malaysia airport scenery for Microsoft Flight simulator 2004, I would like to ask you if guys have some clear shot images of Senai airport..could you shared them with me ?

Thank you in advance..

AFL

July 24th, 2005, 12:27 PM

DiannaRahman78

July 24th, 2005, 12:41 PM

what do you mean you love to see ? there is add-onn KLIA for FS2004, you could download them at AVSIM..:)

AFL

July 24th, 2005, 03:48 PM

what do you mean you love to see ? there is add-onn KLIA for FS2004, you could download them at AVSIM..:)

Aiyoh, AVSIM? geez i thought you would have to pay fees if want register and download, but that's OK...

other than airports, do you create KL city scenery itself? you know Petronas Twin Towers standing alone on flat plain is odd, good to add few more tall buildings...

would it be compatible with FS2002 pro?

DiannaRahman78

July 25th, 2005, 03:18 AM

Aiyoh, AVSIM? geez i thought you would have to pay fees if want register and download, but that's OK...

other than airports, do you create KL city scenery itself? you know Petronas Twin Towers standing alone on flat plain is odd, good to add few more tall buildings...

would it be compatible with FS2002 pro?

no AVSIM is free for everbody...and yes I do create KL scenery for FS2004 but for now I just keep it to myself ,no intention to release it because it's not complete yet (there's hundreds of building to make !!)..and no the add-on for KLIA is only available for FS2004

so do you or any anybody else have a clear shot picture of Senai Airport ? I desperately need them, I could not go there and took it myself because right now I'm currently in Japan

nazrey

August 23rd, 2005, 12:15 AM

Lavender Cake Shop and Bistro
July 18, 2005
News (http://www.senaiairport.com/newsreleases.asp?id=100020&root=100004&contentid=200124)

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/lavender_ima1.jpg

Senai International Airport welcomes Lavender Cake Shop & Bistro, or 'Lavender' as the newest partner to come on board and join the growing list of branded F&B and lifestyle-related retail outlets at the international airport's terminal. This is part of the airport's ongoing and extensive expansion and upgrading programme to provide quality food and beverage options and a wider selection of established retail outlets and facilities for the comfort and convenience of its valued passengers.

The brand new 'Lavender' at Senai International Airport which occupies about 2,000 sq ft floor space was renovated at a cost close to RM1 mil and is the 10th outlet owned and operated by the enterprising F&B chain, Lavender Confectionery & Bakery Sdn Bhd.

Inbound and outbound passengers for both domestic and international routes will enjoy the conducive ambience which the owner and operator of Lavender Cake Shop & Bistro has successfully created through the stylish interior design and decor. A very interesting design element is that the brilliant colours of natural flower stalks are cleverly contrasted against the pleasing pastel shades of lavender, the namesake of this trend-setting F&B cake shop and bistro to achieve an impressive visual impact.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/lavender_lion.jpg

To tempt the palate and voracious appetite of travelers and passengers, Lavender has prepared a varied menu comprising both international cuisine and local culinary favourites. Each item on this menu comes very reasonably priced, considering the attention to quality and taste given by their experienced chefs. Diners can either choose to enjoy their favourite dish in the cool comfort of this bistro or take advantage of take-away options to share with family and friends.

The good selection of cakes and pastries will definitely cater to the varied preferences of every discerning cake lover and those with a sweet tooth.

Lavender Cake Shop & Bistro operates from 7am to 10pm and is located on the ground floor level of the airport concourse and in proximity to the Arrival Hall.

nazrey

October 3rd, 2005, 06:09 AM

Nakiwa, AirAsia in talks on Singapore-Senai bus service
Updated : 03-10-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : HAMISAH HAMID

TRANSPORT services provider Nakiwa Sdn Bhd is in discussions with low-fare carrier AirAsia Bhd to provide chartered bus services to ferry the airline's passengers between Singapore and Senai Airport in Johor.

Managing director Capt (R) Nabil Abd Kadir said he has had preliminary talks with AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes on the matter.

“AirAsia plans to fly Singaporeans to China from Senai Airport and I had offered our bus service to AirAsia to transport passengers between Singapore and Senai.

“He (Fernandes) said he is open for further discussion,” Nabil told Business Times.

Nakiwa, a wholly-owned Bumiputera company, is expected to launch its chartered bus services with an initial fleet of 24 buses sometime this month.

Nabil said Nakiwa also operates low-fare chartered bus services.

He said the company has low entry cost and will maintain low operational cost through efficient management of its bus operations.

Nakiwa has low gearing ratio and, according to Nabil, the company does not plan to have a large debt.

Approaching AirAsia is one of Nakiwa's efforts to create its own niche market.

The company is currently gearing itself towards future international events that Malaysia will host.

'There are also many events held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre where we can provide systematic transportation for the participants, not only to the event venue but also for other activities like plant visits or trips to tourist sites,” he said.

Nakiwa, which has invested RM11 million to start the chartered bus service, plans to increase its fleet of buses to 200 by October next year.

nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:29 AM

TOP AIR Picks Johor as Top Choice Destination Beyond Indonesia
September 29, 2005

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/topaircrew020.jpg

Johor Bahru, Thursday September 29th: Emerging regional player in the aviation industry, Top Air, which has already secured a niche market in servicing the domestic air routes in Indonesia, landed in Johor Bahru today and in the process, notched a historic milestone, both for itself, for the maiden flight beyond Indonesian shores and for Johor Bahru, as its' top choice international destination from Jakarta!

When met at Sultan Ismail Airport, also known as Senai International, Pak Herman Santoso, Top Air's Operations Manager who was also on board the historic flight, commented, "Today marks a historic first for Top Air! This is the first time we are expanding our network into the region, and what better choice of Johor as our first destination! We are highly confident that Top Air's Jakarta-Johor Bahru-Jakarta venture will prove to be very successful. This sector has very good demand and has the potential to grow bigger. Ticket sales at Jakarta and here in Johor Bahru have received response above our initial expectations. Our fares are also very competitively priced, which is contributed by a very cost-effective operational structure".

According to Pak Herman, Top Air's marketing strategy is to use travel agencies as their preferred distribution network to ensure effective sell-through to travel agents on a long-term contractual basis. This has already proven to be a wise decision, as evidenced by their inaugural flight here to Johor Bahru, with 93 passengers on board, a load factor of 78 percent based on capacity of 120.

Herman further added, "Currently we have 3 units B737-200 to cover existing domestic routes and today, with our maiden regional flight having taken off very smoothly and has shown to be well received, this has encouraged us to be even more upbeat of our forthcoming plans to grow our regional destinations, which will be announced in the local media here at the appropriate time".

Mr Kennedy Ayu, General Manager of Senai International was equally upbeat. "We are witnessing a very healthy response to this sector. Already Top Air's flight from Johor Bahru to Jakarta this morning will have 68 passengers and this is inspite of not much initial media awareness being generated so far. We share our valued business partner's confidence that the demand from Johor and the surrounding areas is inherently strong and will certainly pick up even better when more Jakarta-bound passengers get wind of Top Air's regular service to this destination. An added advantage of this flight is that it connects to Bali after Jakarta ".

"Inbound passengers from Jakarta are also spoilt for choice when it comes to heading to their destinations in and around Johor. Our team at Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd or more commonly known as SATS, has coordinated various transport links to and fro Senai International.

This multi-modal connectivity enables travelers to commute to Singapore via coaches, also via the Causeway Link Express to Kranji MRT station with a strategic transit point at our City Lounge in the heart of Johor Bahru city and via the 2nd Link Express to Jurong East Interchange as well as via ferry, starting from the Duty Free Zone, Stulang to Batam Island and Tanjung Pinang, both in Indonesia and also via public buses to various tourist destinations in and around Johor with a strategic stopover to the well-connected Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru. As you can see, Senai is literally well-connected, " Kennedy added.

Top Air now flies every Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays from Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru to Jakarta and onwards to Bali. They currently serve 18 domestic destinations of Ambon, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Batam, Cengkaring(Jakarta), Jayapura, Denpasar, Manado, Medan, Manokwari, Nabire, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, Surabaya, Semarang, Sorong, Timika and Makasar.

nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:30 AM

Milestone Achievement For Senai Airport As China Eastern Airlines Starts Inaugural Johor Bahru - Kunming Charter This October
October 12, 2005

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/ChinaEastern01.jpg

SENAI, JOHOR, October 12: Senai International has notched another feather in the cap with the maiden arrival of a Chinese carrier, China Eastern Airlines' on a scheduled charter to Johor Bahru to Kunming commencing October 8th till December 31st.

"This augurs well for Senai as we continue with our endeavours to improve our connectivity for the benefit and convenience of travelers using our airport as a strategic gateway to other local and foreign destinations, says Kennedy Ayu, General Manager of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (SATS), the airport's operator.

According to Kennedy, China Eastern Airlines flies to Kunming via Sultan Ismail International Airport with an attractive holiday package thrown in.

"What we have experienced, even from the first flight is very promising. The travel agents in Johor have done a tremendous job to promote this package, judging from the response received and the sell-through of tickets. The first Kunming-bound flight registered 172 PAX, a load factor of nearly 67% based on a capacity of 258 passengers. This is highly commendable, if we consider that this Johor Bahru-Kunming-Johor Bahru special package is a brand new product just available from our airport. Even more encouraging, the second flight this Saturday will see almost 200 passengers heading to Kunming. We have been told that the next few flights after that are fast running full, so it seems the demand is very healthy and definitely escalating" ,Kennedy added

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Tourists who intend to visit other places in China can transit in Kunming as it offers very good domestic connectivity to other tourist destinations such as Guilin, Chengdu and Jiu Zhai Gao.

At present, tour packages to Kunming are limited due to restricted international flights going there.

For this holiday package, China Eastern Airlines will fly the Kunming - Johor Bahru - Kunming sector using a B767-300 aircraft with a capacity of 258 passengers.

For those who are keen to take advantage of this special holiday package offer, they can contact +607 334 7733 or + 6012 724 0310 for the attention of David Yong to find out more about the unique details of packages available.

nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:31 AM

Milestone Achievement For Senai Airport As China Eastern Airlines Starts Inaugural Johor Bahru - Kunming Charter This October (Newspaper articles from Nanyang Siang Pau)
October 14, 2005

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nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:32 AM

China Eastern begins ops at Senai airport.
October 15, 2005

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THE Senai International Airport has notched another feather in the cap with the maiden arrival of China Eastern Airlines on a scheduled Kunming-Johor Baru-Kunming charter flight at the airport last Saturday.

"This augurs well for Senai as we continue with our endeavours to improve our connectivity for the benefit of travelers using Senai as well as a strategic gateway to other local and foreign destinations," said Kennedy Ayu, general manager of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, the airport's operator.

She expressed confidence that the once-a-week China Eastern Airlines chartered flight to Kunming via the Senai International Airport will receive goof response from travellers as it also has an attractive holiday package.

What we have experienced, even from the first flight is very promising. The travel agents in Johor have done a tremendous job to promote this packages, judging from the responce received and the sell-through of tickets,"she said.

The first Kunming-bound flight registered 172 persons, a load factor of nearly 67 per cent based on a capacity of 258 passengers.

This is highly commendable if we consider that the Johor Baru-Kunming-Johor Baru special package is a brand new product just available from our airport," she said. - Bernama

Source: NST, Business Times - 15th October 2005

nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:33 AM

China Eastern Airlines lands in Senai
October 17, 2005

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SENAI International has started receiving the arrival of a Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines', on a scheduled charter operating from Kunming-Johor Bahru-Kunming.

The service began on Oct 7 and it will go on till Dec 31.

"This augurs well for Senai as we continue with our endeavours to Improve our connectivity for the benefit and convenience of travellers using our airport as a strategic gateway to other local and foreign destination's," said Senai Airport Terminal Services general manager Kennedy Ayu.

According to him. China Eastern Airlines flies to Kunming via Sultan Ismail International Airport with an attractive holiday day package thrown in.

"What we have experienced. even from the first flight is very promosing. The travel agents in Johor have done a tremendous Job to promote this package, judging from the response received and the Sell-through of tickets." The first Kunming-bound flight registered Istered 172 passengers, a load factor of nearly 67% based on a capacity of 258 passengers.

"This is highly commendable. if we consider that this Johor Bahru-Kunming-Johor Bahru special package is a brand new product just available from our airport.

"Even more encouraging, the second flight on Saturday Saw 200 passengers heading to Kunming.

"We have been informed that the next few flights are fast running full, So it seems the demand is very healthy and escalating," said Kennedy.

Tourists who intend to visit other places in China can transit in Kunming as it offers favourable domestic connectivity to other tourist destinations such as Guilin, Chengdu and Jiu Zhai Gao.

Currently, tour packages to Kunming are limited due to restricted International flights going there.

For the holiday season, China Eastern Airlines will fly the Kunming-Johor Bahru-Kunming sector using a B767-300 aircraft with a capacity of 258 passengers.

Source: The Star, Maritime, Logistics - 17th October 2005

nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 09:37 AM

China Eastern Airlines

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nazrey

October 22nd, 2005, 08:59 PM

Senai International Airport

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Source : Airliners network (http://www.airliners.net/)

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nazrey

October 30th, 2005, 09:44 AM

Historic Milestones As Senai Cargo Centre Lands The World's 2nd Largest Freighter, The Antanov 124-100 And The Sc-5 Shorts Belfast Turbo-Prop Freighter
October 26, 2005

Senai proves its mettle both in handling the Antanov's UN relief operations and Shorts Belfast heavy, odd-size cargo

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SENAI, JOHOR, October 26: Fresh from handling the UN-chartered Antanov 124-100 which landed at Senai Cargo Centre on October 14, the cargo facility offered by Senai International Airport witnessed yet another significant event with the landing of the SC-5 Shorts Belfast Turbo-prop Freighter on Monday October 24.

The SC-5 aircraft, which is one of the biggest turbo-props built with a capacity of 36.3 tons, is the only remaining SC-5 Shorts Belfast in the world from the original ten that was commissioned for operations. It landed in Senai on Monday at 9.30 am local time from Cairns, Australia and was bound for Timika, Indonesia. This is the first time that the freighter, which is known for its capability to carry heavy and awkward-sized cargo, has landed on Malaysian soil.

The SC-5 Shorts Belfast freighter made a stopover at Senai to pick up mining equipment. The flight captain expressed his admiration at the level of service given by Senai and commented, "During this operation, Senai displayed first-class ground handling service with a highly-trained staff to handle heavy and odd-sized cargo. Besides the spacious area at Senai Cargo Centre which can accommodate large aircrafts effortlessly, the efficiency and turnaround speed of the service, in addition to the equipment and facilities provided by the airport facilitated such a smooth process for us. He further added, 'I would also like to add that the Ground Handling team attended to our various needs very expediently, which is a big plus, compared to many other airports."

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The UN-chartered Antanov 124-100, the second largest aircraft in the world with a capacity of 110 tons landed in Senai just recently to airlift rescue operations equipment for Pakistan as part of a worldwide relief mission undertaken by the UN following the major earthquake catastrophe which hit the Indian sub-continent, with Islamabad reported to be the worst-hit city. The aircraft which flew in from Yemen was carrying eight UN crews and bound for Islamabad.

The stopover facilitated by Senai Cargo Centre was to pick up two M18 helicopters belonging to Baltic Pacific, two Toyota Hilux, one Wagon and spare part equipment which will be used in the Pakistan relief project.

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Flight Manager, Zamil Khasanov commented, 'Flexibility, attention to detail and commitment are key factors contributing to this operation's success here at Senai. We are very pleased with the service and equipment provided by the personnel at Senai Cargo Centre. In spite of our aircraft being the world's second largest freighter aircraft, we can see why this cargo terminal easily accommodated our 124-100. I understand it is able to handle two full B747 freighters and three narrow body freighters at any one time. We are also very comfortable with Senai's highly-trained staff who serviced the aircraft during its landing at Senai Cargo Centre. The team should be commended for their dedication and energy".

The entire operation saw equipment such as crane, forklift and 40-footer Hi-cube being used to facilitate the cargo movement, especially to load the hydraulic crane and Hiluxs into the aircraft.

According to the airport's General Manager, Kennedy Ayu, "we are indeed grateful for being entrusted this confidence to handle UN-sanctioned operations, especially more so when it deals with major relief efforts undertaken for a very noteworthy cause such as this recent Pakistan earthquake disaster. We are ready and confident to assist for any such future initiatives."

globocentric

October 30th, 2005, 10:09 AM

Senai airport is a white elephant. It's passenger volume is way below what's it was designed to handle. I think they should emulate what Guangzhou did seriously. They took good advantage of their proximity to Hong Kong and Senai should do the same since it's so close to Singapore

musang

October 30th, 2005, 10:56 AM

gajah putih?? i thot they handled close to 1mpa last yr? and it is fast becoming one of the busiest airports in country.. JB n SIN too close for comfort unlike Guangzhou and HKG.

fairul

October 30th, 2005, 11:12 AM

i dont think that Senai Airport as a white elephant..coz first of all..the terminal is no that big..the terminal is designed to handle 4.5million pax per annum. only...and yes..last year Senai handled almost a million pax..

i believe SATS is doing well in promoting Senai as Asian Logistic hub at the moment..give them some time..SATS is undergoing for a 10 year plan to turn Senai as Asian main logistic hub..

globocentric

October 30th, 2005, 01:41 PM

I million a year is too low by malaysian standards. even smaller airports like Miri or Sibu handle more passengers than that.

xeoc

October 31st, 2005, 07:28 AM

har........The only building in the nazray photo is the only terminal.....very big meh?
you even can count the plane parking lots One TWO Three Four...no more.....

musang

October 31st, 2005, 07:39 AM

Subangite

October 31st, 2005, 08:18 AM

What is senai planning to upseat Changi? Heck KLIA can't even do that!

musang

October 31st, 2005, 08:45 AM

not so much to compete with Changi la, more like complementing. n i blve they want more malaysian exporters to go thru local sea'airports.. but in Senai case, that will be yeaaars from now, they have to build the network, masses etc... unless of course if Pak Sidik can come up with stg.

fairul

October 31st, 2005, 09:18 AM

Miri & Sibu handle more than Senai?? ye ker? second placing goes to KK, third Penang.. so much that i know la..

true, very true that Senai is presently small, but small thing can grow bigger what... heh heh, and judging from their masterplan, there is room for future growth.

im not sure the exact figure of pax. Senai handled lat year..but it increased tremendously from the previous years..thx to AK..
well..last year Sibu Airport handled 900,000++ pax and Miri handled 1.5 million pax with 40,000++ of air movements last yr..high enough to put Miri into the top 5 busiest airport in Malaysia..

Miri and Kuching handled more aircraft movement than Penang actually..

fairul

October 31st, 2005, 09:20 AM

What is senai planning to upseat Changi? Heck KLIA can't even do that!

I dont think that Senai is planning to upseat Changi..just wanna take small portion of their market..;)

Subangite

October 31st, 2005, 12:13 PM

I dont think that Senai is planning to upseat Changi..just wanna take small portion of their market..;)

Tough act to follow I think. I know some Johorians in Brisbane, they would take SIA and transit in Changi to go back to Johor rather than take MAS and go through KLIA. Just like how quite a few people from Miri take Royal Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan to go back to Miri.

fairul

October 31st, 2005, 03:55 PM

Tough act to follow I think. I know some Johorians in Brisbane, they would take SIA and transit in Changi to go back to Johor rather than take MAS and go through KLIA. Just like how quite a few people from Miri take Royal Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan to go back to Miri.

im not suprised by that though...thats what my fren did too..she took the flight from BNE-SIN and and connecting flight to KUL...her reason..better frequency and timing since there are two choices of departure time..late night or mid afternoon..

Subangite

November 1st, 2005, 05:14 AM

im not suprised by that though...thats what my fren did too..she took the flight from BNE-SIN and and connecting flight to KUL...her reason..better frequency and timing since there are two choices of departure time..late night or mid afternoon..

Definately, I did that last time, SIA tickets were very much cheaper then MAS and I got AVOD, MAS were slowly starting to introduce them on its fleet.

Frequencies

SIA has almost 3X daily, a total of 19X weekly on the route.

MAS only has 6X weekly.

fairul

November 1st, 2005, 09:35 AM

Definately, I did that last time, SIA tickets were very much cheaper then MAS and I got AVOD, MAS were slowly starting to introduce them on its fleet.

Frequencies

SIA has almost 3X daily, a total of 19X weekly on the route.

MAS only has 6X weekly.

MAS definitely should increase the frequencies to Australian routes..particularly for Perth,Brisbane and Adelaide..
my suggestion..at least its a 2x daily flight...
midafternoon and late night departure...in time for all european departure from KUL..

yes..the planes with AVOD IFE is being refurbished progressively..but most flights to SYD and MEL have the new retrofitted seats and AVOD..

Subangite

November 1st, 2005, 11:24 AM

globocentric

November 2nd, 2005, 05:52 AM

Subangite

November 2nd, 2005, 06:05 AM

KL handles only one third of the total amount of international flights that Changi handles. KL loses out the Changi big time in the Kangaroo route(Europe-Australia flights). There are more than ten flights a day between Aus and London and all of them go through Singapore British Airways, Virgin and Qantas flies to Singpore at least 3 times a day and proceed straight on to Sydney, Melboure or Brisbane. Despite it's smaller population, there are about 9 or 10 flights a day between Singapore and London and KLIA only enjoys 2 or 3. Miri handles 1.5 million pax and JB is struggling with 900000 and that volume does not warrant such a modern terminal, that's why it's a white elephant. KKIA might be second busiest airport in m'sia in terms of passenger volume but Penang (1.3 mil)still outperform KK in international passenger traffic(300000). Half of the flights out of Penang are international flights coz many local flights were slashed after the opening of the north south highway. Flights to KL were reduced and the only other domestic destinations that Penang serves is Langkawi and JB (one flight a day each). Miri will always be busier than Penang in aircraft movements coz it is a rural airport and most of the flighs they get will be Fokker or Twin otters coz not many airports in Sarawak can handle 737.

Globocentric, you beat me to it. I was going to show how many flights there were to SIN from Aust, not just SIA. Emirates, Austrian, Qantas, British Airways.

There are definately more Malaysians in Australia than Singaporeans, from immigrants to students but a lot of Malaysians are flying to SIN, just simply because there are more options availible, i.e., in Brisbane there's close to 3 daily flights from SIA also with daily Flights with Qantas. Emirates I think also flies that sector. We are spoilt for choice, MAS only has one late night flight.

A lot of Malaysian bound traffic goes through Singapore.

fairul

November 2nd, 2005, 06:23 AM

KL handles only one third of the total amount of international flights that Changi handles. KL loses out the Changi big time in the Kangaroo route(Europe-Australia flights). There are more than ten flights a day between Aus and London and all of them go through Singapore British Airways, Virgin and Qantas flies to Singpore at least 3 times a day and proceed straight on to Sydney, Melboure or Brisbane. Despite it's smaller population, there are about 9 or 10 flights a day between Singapore and London and KLIA only enjoys 2 or 3. Miri handles 1.5 million pax and JB is struggling with 900000 and that volume does not warrant such a modern terminal, that's why it's a white elephant. KKIA might be second busiest airport in m'sia in terms of passenger volume but Penang (1.3 mil)still outperform KK in international passenger traffic(300000). Half of the flights out of Penang are international flights coz many local flights were slashed after the opening of the north south highway. Flights to KL were reduced and the only other domestic destinations that Penang serves is Langkawi and JB (one flight a day each). Miri will always be busier than Penang in aircraft movements coz it is a rural airport and most of the flighs they get will be Fokker or Twin otters coz not many airports in Sarawak can handle 737.

at the moment..4 airports in Sarawak can handle 737..KCH..BTU..MYY and SBW..and MYY can handle A330..and KCH can handle 747..

expect the traffic at KKIA to decrease a bit since AK introduce nonstop flights to Tawau and Sandakan from KUL..before this the pax have to transit at BKI with MAS

what u mention about SIN and KUL traffic is right...I wont blame BA and QF for not flying to KUL..
since the agreement between MAS and Virgin will only be renewed on yearly basis now..I'm not suprise that one day Virgin will pull out from the agreement and sending their own plane to KUL...
im pretty confident that that Virgin will pull out HKG from their LON-HKG-SYD flight and switch it to LON-KUL-SYD one day..coz the pax load is quite low..

but during the World Route Conference last few months..BA did expressed their interest to return to KUL.. :)

globocentric

November 2nd, 2005, 06:23 AM

Subangite

November 2nd, 2005, 06:29 AM

You are right Subangite. I know quite a numer of KL people that go to Singpore for the purpose of cathing flights to Melbourne of Sydney. 2 flights a day versus almost 10 a day is a big difference in terms of flexibility. Some people especially rich people just hate MAS becuase of louzy service MAS is the only option from M'sia to Aus Most of the people from Penang go to Singpore instead of KL when they want to fly to Australia the same probably applies to people from Johor , Sabah and Sarawak. There are more M'sians than Singporeans in Australia if you talking about overall numbers but on a per capita basis, there are more singaporeans

Yup, there's a distaste of MAS amongst some Malaysians I know here. Oh well. Quite a few Penangites I know would rather fly SIA.

Flexibility is another big issue I guess.

Overall number, more Malaysians than Singaporeans, to the extent that I've been on SIA flights so filled with Malaysians, so much Malaysian bound traffic is lost.

fairul

November 2nd, 2005, 06:32 AM

You are right Subangite. I know quite a numer of KL people that go to Singpore for the purpose of cathing flights to Melbourne of Sydney. 2 flights a day versus almost 10 a day is a big difference in terms of flexibility. Some people especially rich people just hate MAS becuase of louzy service MAS is the only option from M'sia to Aus Most of the people from Penang go to Singpore instead of KL when they want to fly to Australia the same probably applies to people from Johor , Sabah and Sarawak. There are more M'sians than Singporeans in Australia if you talking about overall numbers but on a per capita basis, there are more singaporeans

what i dont understand is that why MH still fly to lousy unprofit routes??\they should just send their planes and increase the frequncies on these lucrative Aussie cities route..

globocentric

November 2nd, 2005, 08:27 AM

Louzy unprofit routes?Yes routes like KK - seoul, tokyo. Kuching- Perth(one flight a week)I cant see how they can be profitable. Anyone with enough common sense knows that Penang - syd or mel will be more profitable than those routes. Well the Aussie route is lucrative but SIA slashed their fares for Malaysians on purpose to lure traffic away from MAS and they can afford to do that coz they are they are one of the richest airline in the world. MAS cant do that as they are losing money fast now. MAS two daily flights to AUS is not as full as SIA flights to Syd and MEL. Furthermore, ,many malaysians dont want to fly MAS because of louzy service compared to SIA

fairul

November 2nd, 2005, 10:28 AM

yerp...nonsense routes such as MH 125/126( KUL-KCH-PER) should go..
that flight used to be 2x a week and now MAS decrease to once a week due to low pax from PER-KCH..
lots of Aussie tourist complained that KCH Airport has nothing to offer during transit at 0400 in the morning..

if i were u..i might as well go for flight which gives me better timing and flexibility..thats why they opt for SIA...but i dun think that MAS service is that lousy la..its one of the best what...sometimes i do find the SIA's F/A's is all hype..they are so robotic..heheh :D but their IFE..totally:okay:

but good news is...for the new timeable effective 31Oct. 2005, MAS will upgrade its equipment to Australia, where any daily flights by 777 will be upgrade to B747-400..and this includes flight to PER..MEL..and SYD..
and PER is now 9x a week..

nazrey

November 3rd, 2005, 06:20 PM

10-year make-over plan for airport
Updated : 02-11-2005
Media : New Straits Times

Senai Airport is undergoing a major transformation into a regional air cargo and passenger hub with international facilities and services.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which acquired the property from Malaysia Airports Bhd in 2002, has announced plans to pump in RM1 billion over 10 years to this end.

To date, more than RM50 million has been spent on upgrading cargo facilities and the passenger terminal in Senai.

SATS also plans to develop logistics, warehousing and distribution facilities and a central convergence network of air, road and sea routes to provide value-added logistics services to customers.

The changes are particularly evident at the passenger terminal on the first floor of the airport.

The arrival and departure terminal has been expanded to provide not only additional space for the convenience of passengers, but also a brighter and cleaner environment.

With cream-painted walls, polished wooden floors and endless glass windows enabling passengers to watch planes land and take off, the terminal is a vast improvement from what it used to be.

There is also a variety of duty-free shopping outlets offering everything from branded perfumes to lifestyle and fashion products.

There are eight plasma TVs with satellite programming in the terminal for those who want to sit and unwind.

Broadband wireless Internet access is also available throughout the terminal, at nominal rates of RM3 for 30 minutes or RM5 an hour.

The airport is also the first in the country to introduce free porter services to assist passengers with their baggage.

The airport has seen a steady increase in passenger volume in the last couple of years. Last year, volume reached 1.5 million, which is expected to increase this year.

SATS corporate communications manager Bob Lee said the airport facilities would be constantly upgraded to meet the needs of passengers.

szehoong

November 3rd, 2005, 07:51 PM

what i dont understand is that why MH still fly to lousy unprofit routes??\they should just send their planes and increase the frequncies on these lucrative Aussie cities route..

Political reasons! :rant:

And although SIA is Singapore's flag carrier, it doesn't really behave like one as the Singaporean govt treat it as a full commercial entity. MAS on the other hand are still very much part of our govt showcase :(

szehoong

November 3rd, 2005, 07:55 PM

Not enough planes to do 2X daily right? Brisbane is not even daily right now! It used to be close to 2X daily, when the MAS flights to Auckland stopped at Brisbane. It was great, met some nice Malaysian students studying in Auckland. Now no more, since Auckland is a non stop flight.

Hmmmm...have I met you before? :D hahaha......actually I've been on a KUL-BNE-AUK flight before ;)

Actually MAS used to fly directly to Auckland. Then they stopped it.....and now they resumed it. One very weird flight (I am not entirely sure if its normal) I've been on is SYD-MEL-KUL. The plane stopped over at Melbourne for over an hour and we are not allowed to leave the plane. So I was there all the time when the 'makcik' was cleaning the seat beside mine hehehehe :D

Subangite

November 4th, 2005, 02:45 AM

Hmmmm...have I met you before? :D hahaha......actually I've been on a KUL-BNE-AUK flight before ;)

Actually MAS used to fly directly to Auckland. Then they stopped it.....and now they resumed it. One very weird flight (I am not entirely sure if its normal) I've been on is SYD-MEL-KUL. The plane stopped over at Melbourne for over an hour and we are not allowed to leave the plane. So I was there all the time when the 'makcik' was cleaning the seat beside mine hehehehe :D

I don't think we've met, I met a Malaysian girl studying in Auckland. Quite good looking as far as I remembered, she fell a sleep on my shoulders which was quite weird. I'm glad I met her, we hanged out for coffee at the satelite terminal after we arrived in KLIA, it made our 2 hour transit a lot more enjoyable. I was transitting to go to Singapore whilst she was transitting to go to Kota Kinabalu.

TYW

November 4th, 2005, 03:43 AM

I don't think we've met, I met a Malaysian girl studying in Auckland. Quite good looking as far as I remembered, she fell a sleep on my shoulders which was quite weird. I'm glad I met her, we hanged out for coffee at the satelite terminal after we arrived in KLIA, it made our 2 hour transit a lot more enjoyable. I was transitting to go to Singapore whilst she was transitting to go to Kota Kinabalu.

wah!! got nice girl sleeping on your shoulders. so cool!!

damn!! i'm gonna sound like SEED already :lol:

Subangite

November 4th, 2005, 04:14 AM

wah!! got nice girl sleeping on your shoulders. so cool!!

damn!! i'm gonna sound like SEED already :lol:

Erm, ok. I was more worried if she would drool on my shirt!

nazrey

December 8th, 2005, 01:21 AM

Decline In Number Of Passengers, Cargo In Senai Airport
Updated : 07-12-2005
Media : Bernama

JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The number of passengers using the Senai Airport for the first nine months of this year has declined by 10.5 percent compared with the number registered in the same period of 2004.

In its Economic Report 2005/2006 released here Wednesday, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) said that during the period reviewed, the Senai Airport received 928,623 passengers compared with 1.037 million passengers in 2004.

The airport is managed by Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS).

UPEN said that SATS had reported that the decline in the number of passengers were caused by several factors, one of them being Air Asia stopping some its international flights.

The rise in travel fares following the hike in oil price had also contributed to the decline in both domestic and foreign passenger traffic.

UPEN said that the majority of international travellers in the airport comprised passengers travelling on China Airline which operates a weekly service to the airport.

It said that the flow of passengers in Senai for the third quarter of this year had declined by 15.3 percent to 297,069 compared with 350,535 in the previous year's corresponding quarter.

The total number of passengers in Senai for the third quarter period was also a reduction of 4.1 percent compared with 309,745 recorded in the second quarter of this year.

However, UPEN said that SATS was confident of a recovery in passenger traffic at the airport for the fourth quarter and had projected 304,716 passengers for the final quarter.

As for cargo, the airport had reported a 10 percent decline in total cargoes handled for the first nine months of this year at 5,608,042 kg compared with 6,232,082 kg handled in the same period of last year.

It has projected total cargoes to be handled this year at 7,573,843 kg.

On ports in the state, UPEN said that for the first nine months of this year, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) had registered a 5.1 percent increase in the handling of cargoes at 3.18 million TEUs from a total of 3.126 TEUs handled in the same period of last year.

Pasir Gudang port also saw an increase in the handling of cargoes at 21.64 million tonnes or a 1.5 percent rise compared with the same period of last year.

nazrey

December 8th, 2005, 06:31 PM

Senai Airport interior
by babystan03

Transit area

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/ylstan01/KL/PIC048161.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/ylstan01/KL/PIC048141.jpg

jeeshyan

December 12th, 2005, 06:16 AM

IPOH, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh has moved a step forward in its efforts to become the northern region hub for low cost carriers (LCC) with AirAsia flights between Ipoh and Senai commencing on Feb 1.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the airport would be the base for LCCs plying local destinations, including Sabah and Sarawak, and neighbouring countries.

"We will also invite all LCCs who have agreement with our country to use the airport in Ipoh," he told reporters after visiting the airport here, today.

He said the proposal to turn the airport into LCC hub was earlier mooted by the Perak State Government and AirAsia Berhad.

"My visit here is to see the condition of the airport. The ministry found that there is a potential for the airport to be the LCC hub and for a start we have given approval for AirAsia to start flights between Ipoh and Senai (Johor) beginning Feb 1," he said.

He said, if the flight frequencies increase, the government would expand the airport including its terminal and the runaway to accommodate aircrafts bigger than the Boeing 737.

The airport now caters flights to KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang and Medan, Indonesia. The airlines operating at the airport are Malaysia Airlines, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Jentayu Airlines and Kartika Air.

Meanwhile Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the ministry's decision to allow AirAsia to begin flights to Senai is a good development in efforts to revive the airport.

He said with low parking charges, AirAsia can also utilise the airport as a maintenance centre for aircrafts apart from being the LCC hub.

AirAsia's Chief Executive Officer Datuk Tony Fernandes who joined the visit said he was confident in helping the state government in making Ipoh as the LCC hub for the northern region, playing a supplementary role to KLIA.

He said initially the Ipoh-Senai sector would see four flights per week before daily flights begin.

globocentric

December 12th, 2005, 07:09 PM

baqthier

December 12th, 2005, 07:38 PM

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/ylstan01/KL/PIC048141.jpg

yay i can see hardwood floors

fairul

December 13th, 2005, 01:44 AM

yung85

December 15th, 2005, 05:37 PM

actually senai airport has potential.... international flights arent like to australia or europe.... its only around southeast asia... i like to senai very often too and i think the improvements r extradinary...

Ijud

December 15th, 2005, 05:54 PM

The white tiles @ the transit area looks the same like at Suvarnabhumi airport... the seats looks very comfy... and the ceiling/skylights? are cool too...

nazrey

December 20th, 2005, 12:20 PM

Big plans for Senai airport
Tuesday December 20, 2005
BY MARSHA TAN

The Senai airport will be turned into an ornamental fish packaging and exporting centre with direct flights to importing countries besides being upgraded to a cargo and passenger hub.

State Agriculture Committee chairman Ahmad Zahri Jamil said the upgrading of the Sultan Ismail Airport in Senai and development of facilities to export ornamental fish would be a boost to the industry.

“Besides developing the area as a distribution and packaging centre for food, the same facilities could also be developed for ornamental fish.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/12/20/southneast/ms_pg03zahri.jpg

Ahmad Zahri (centre) playing with a snake at the launching of the ornamental
fish and pet show in Plaza Pelangi. With him are Haron (left) and Johor Fama
director Ahmad Ishak.

“Now, the breeders are exporting the fish via Singapore’s Changi airport, where they have the complete infrastructure and many direct flights to importing countries,” said Ahmad Zahri after launching a national-level ornamental fish and pet exhibition.

Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) director-general Haron A. Rahim said Senai was expected to have the direct flights by next year.

“Most of the exporters in Johor, who are Arowana breeders, export via land through the Second Link to Singapore because they would have to bear a higher cost if they do it through the KL International Airport.

“We have complete facilities for exporting Arowana in KLIA, but those who export via KLIA are mostly those in the central region,” said Haron, adding that Malaysia is ranked as the second largest exporter of ornamental fish behind Singapore.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahri said there had to be more efforts to promote and create awareness about ornamental fish, including conducting seminars and campaigns on the industry.

“Our target is to have one aquarium in each home. It does not have to be a big and expensive aquarium.

“We hope to be able to attract locals so that there will be more demand in the local market and breeders are encouraged to expand and develop the different fish variants,” said Ahmad Zahri.

He said Johor was the biggest producer of ornamental fish, followed by Perak, Selangor and Penang, adding that the state recorded an annual growth of 24% for this sub-sector.

He said up to September, Johor had produced a total of 152 million fishes and 52 million aquatic plants, which had currently become a main export commodity in the ornamental fish industry.

Subangite

December 20th, 2005, 03:20 PM

^^^ I think there is hope yet for Senai. Just like how Schipol Amsterdam is a big cargo center and exporter of dutch flowers, this is the way to go.

Magician

December 20th, 2005, 03:26 PM

nazrey

February 20th, 2006, 01:31 AM

Senai Airport seeks RM290m loan
By SHARIMAN JOHARI
February 20 2006

AIRPORT operator Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) is seeking a medium-term loan of some RM290 million to refinance existing debt and fund expansion, bankers familiar with the deal said.

SATS, owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary, has already asked banks to pitch their proposals for the loan.

The RFP (request for proposal) is already out. The loan is for 10 years," a banker told Business Times.

SATS is one of the many privately-held firms of the media-shy Syed Mokhtar, who has steadily built his business to encompass ports and power generation under MMC Corp Bhd; hotel, plantations and sugar refining under Tradewinds; and most recently, cars and banking under DRB-HICOM Bhd.

Syed Mokhtar wants to make the Johor-based airport, which he bought from state-owned Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd for RM80 million in 2003, a logistics hub in Asia.

The airport operator has spent some RM50 million to upgrade cargo facilities and the passenger terminal.

It also plans to develop logistics, warehousing and distribution facilities and a central convergence network of air, road and sea routes to provide value-added services to customers.

As for cargo volume, the airport reported a 10 per cent decline in total cargoes handled for the first nine months of 2005, according to the 2005/2006 economic report released by the state economic planning unit.

The number of passengers handled by the airport also fell, by some 11 per cent in the first nine months of last year. This was partly due to AirAsia Bhd stopping some of its international flights.

SATS has plans to invest some RM1 billion over 10 years to develop the airport.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Monday/Frontpage/BT551652.txt/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/dailyn/airport2.jpg

nazrey

March 4th, 2006, 06:15 AM

Senai Airport Hails New JB-S'pore Bus Service To Secondlink CIQ Complex
14 February 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Flight passengers and frequent travellers between Johor Bahru and Singapore can now have greater convenience with the newly-launched express bus service to the SecondLink (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=260143&page=1) or Linkedua, says Senai International Airport.

The five-times-a-day service starts from the Sultan Ismail International Airport, also known as Senai International Airport, and ends at the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) Complex at the SecondLink after a stopover at the City Lounge at Hentian Sentral Kotaraya Complex in the heart of Johor Bahru and vice versa. The fare costs RM8 each way.

After disembarkation at the CIQ Complex for immigration clearance purposes, passengers can proceed to take a connecting CW3 (Causeway Link 3) bus to Jurong East.

The fare from the CIQ complex to Jurong East is RM2.60 while the corresponding return fare from Jurong East to the CIQ complex is S$3.00.

This service provides another option for passengers departing for Singapore and is modelled on the existing shuttle service to and from the airport and Singapore, said Kennedy Ayu, the airport's general manager.

Passengers on board the 49-seater express bus can also purchase bus tickets from a ticket machine on the bus.

The connecting bus to Jurong East runs every half an hour from the pick-up point after the CIQ immigration clearance.

Upon reaching Jurong East, passengers will have many options to reach other destinations, which includes taking the MRT or other transport options such as bus services provided by local bus operators.

nazrey

March 4th, 2006, 06:19 AM

PHASE 1 ..SENAI CARGO CENTRE

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/8678/phase1senaicargocentre6lr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-cargo-agents04.jpg

Senai Airport Cargo Development (Phase 2) offers forwarders a strategic location to set up their operations next door to emerging Senai Airport, which provides the infrastructure to facilitate the sea – air – land transportation link services.

Within the Cargo Agent Complex, Air Freight Forwarders can operate in locations near to the air cargo terminal and apron. These warehouses are exclusively designed for forwarders concentrating in air cargo handling and consolidation, warehousing and distribution services and multi – modal transport services.

Senai Airport Cargo Agent Complex will be eventually gazetted as a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) Area, which will then allow free flowing of cargo from the complex to the new cargo terminal. Being a gazetted FCZ area, Cargo Agent Complex enables free trade, breaking bulk, grading, repacking, relieving and transshipment activities, and subjected to minimal custom formalities, directly increasing forwarders revenue.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-cargo-agents05.jpg

nazrey

March 4th, 2006, 06:22 AM

Masterplan

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-comm01.jpg

SATS has developed a comprehensive 20 years master plan to transform Senai International Airport and its surrounding to a world-class airport city comprising of transportation, logistics, commercial, retail and tourist development. These airport development will be the catalyst of growth in making Senai and the surroundings a new integrated city within a city.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-comm02.jpg

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Phase 1 2003-2006
Development of Airport Terminal Retail Area
Development of Senai Integrated Transport Terminal
Development of Senai Transit Hotel

Phase 2 2007-2010
Development of Rail Transit Link
Development of Senai Duty Free, Retail and Showroom Complex
Development Lifestyle Apartment Suites
Development of Senai Business Park
Development of Senai Trade and Exhibition Centre

Phase 3 2011-2023
Development of Family Theme Park
Development of Sports and Recreation Park

More Here (http://www.senaiairport.com/biz.asp?menuid=100062&rootid=100002&splid=)

White_soX

March 4th, 2006, 07:13 AM

Those buildings are well design......love the high rise beside the airport just like Hong Kong

Stargi¤S

March 4th, 2006, 12:59 PM

well, those pictures given are nice...
especially the design...

nazrey

March 10th, 2006, 12:16 AM

MASkargo appoints Senai Airport as handling agent
09 Mar 2006 3:26 PM

Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) has appointed Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) as its ground handler at the Senai International Airport in Johor effective March, the airport operator said.

The collaboration augurs well for both parties as it is a positive development which will enable a streamlined focus of resources to promote and accelerate the growth of the air cargo business in Johor, SATS said on March 9.

MASkargo handles a range of cargo at Senai with the major portion of the freight traffic to and from Sabah and Sarawak, SATS said.

SATS has a dedicated cargo terminal, the Senai Cargo Centre, which was completed in August 2004 with a handling capacity of 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

The semi-automated terminal has a one-stop cargo operations centre that is versatile to handle most categories of import and export goods, and comes complete with a customs unit to facilitate processing and clearance of the goods.

The cargo centre also has a mechanised transfer vehicle, mechanised cargo platform, a chiller room as well as a freeze room. It has also a range of forklifts and tow tractors to facilitate the cargo movement within the terminal and a dedicated team trained to handle dangerous goods.

pynshi91

March 14th, 2006, 03:18 AM

I just wonder the future designs of the airport that will be contructed in the future,will it happen??????...

AFL

March 14th, 2006, 07:10 AM

form the renderings you can see dozens of planes parked at the terminal...another southern gateway in the making..

White_soX

March 18th, 2006, 08:58 AM

form the renderings you can see dozens of planes parked at the terminal...another southern gateway in the making..

Wekk sir, randering stay as randering, ain't got that many planes in JHB because it is mainly on domestic mainline, plus SIN in miles away. But growth is coming slowly to JHB with all cargo, hopes they can maintain more on cargo because for JHB that's a big market for them-well less on passengers, but keep everything up to date, won't be a problem

nazrey

March 20th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Senai Airport Hails New JB-S'pore Bus Service To Secondlink CIQ Complex
14 February 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Flight passengers and frequent travellers between Johor Bahru and Singapore can now have greater convenience with the newly-launched express bus service to the SecondLink (http://www.linkedua.com/linkedua/default.asp) or Linkedua, says Senai International Airport.

The five-times-a-day service starts from the Sultan Ismail International Airport, also known as Senai International Airport, and ends at the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) Complex at the SecondLink after a stopover at the City Lounge at Hentian Sentral Kotaraya Complex in the heart of Johor Bahru and vice versa. The fare costs RM8 each way.

After disembarkation at the CIQ Complex for immigration clearance purposes, passengers can proceed to take a connecting CW3 (Causeway Link 3) bus to Jurong East.

The fare from the CIQ complex to Jurong East is RM2.60 while the corresponding return fare from Jurong East to the CIQ complex is S$3.00.

This service provides another option for passengers departing for Singapore and is modelled on the existing shuttle service to and from the airport and Singapore, said Kennedy Ayu, the airport's general manager.

Passengers on board the 49-seater express bus can also purchase bus tickets from a ticket machine on the bus.

The connecting bus to Jurong East runs every half an hour from the pick-up point after the CIQ immigration clearance.

Upon reaching Jurong East, passengers will have many options to reach other destinations, which includes taking the MRT or other transport options such as bus services provided by local bus operators.

nazrey

March 20th, 2006, 07:30 AM

SATS & MASkargo Collaborates To Enhance Airport's Cargo Handling

9 March 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) has forged a smart partnership with Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) to cover the airport's cargo handling operations in Johor Baharu beginning March 2006.

"This collaboration augurs well for both parties as it is a positive development which will enable a streamlined focus of resources to promote and accelerate the growth of air cargo business in Johor," said SATS, the operator of Senai International Airport, in a statement Thursday.

SATS has a dedicated cargo terminal, the Senai Cargo Centre, which was completed in August 2004, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per annum.

"This semi-automated terminal is equipped with a one-stop cargo operations centre which is versatile to handle most categories of goods both for import and export and comes complete with a Customs unit to facilitate processing and clearance," it said.

The Senai Cargo Centre also has a mechanised transfer vehicle (TV) facility, a mechanised cargo build-up platform, a chiller room as well as a freezer room.

To facilitate cargo movement within the terminal, SATS has made available a range of forklifts and tow tractors and there is a team of fully trained SATS staff who are licensed to handle dangerous goods.

To meet industry standards and the operational requirements of MASkargo, SATS have built-in facilities for dangerous goods storage and a strong room for the storage of valuable and vulnerable cargo.

MASkargo, which has garnered and progressively built on its reputation in the cargo handling industry, handles a diverse range of cargo at Senai.

The statement said the major portion of this freight traffic comprises those plying in and out of East Malaysia, notably through Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

MASkargo, operates two owned and six leased B747-200 freighters, and its freighter services currently cover KLIA, Penang, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Osaka, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Bangkok, Dubai, Taipei, Sydney and Tokyo.

In Europe, MASkargo destinations include Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester and Basel.

At KL International Airport, its home base is the Advanced Cargo Centre, a 108-acre complex designed specially for MASkargo's sophisticated state-of-the-art cargo handling facilities and recognised as major regional cargo hub.

MASkargo, the air cargo division of Malaysia Airlines, also operates the Hangzhou Cargo Centre at Zhejiang Xiaoshan International Airport, China.

nazrey

March 20th, 2006, 07:35 AM

More Reasons To Drive, Park And Fly From Senai International Airport
16 March 2006

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/banners/home-free-parking.gif

SENAI, JOHOR, March 15: Senai (http://www.senaiairport.com/travellers.asp?menuid=100098&rootid=100014&splid=100001&parentid=100030) Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. is adding another unique benefit for passengers who drive, park and fly from Senai International Airport, beginning this March until end of August this year.

During this 6-month campaign, passengers traveling to and fro via the airport can enjoy free parking of up to a maximum of 100 days, by paying for the first twenty-four hours at the nominal rate of RM30. This is applicable at the airport’s covered car park, which is tailored to suit a more cost-effective long-term parking requirement for the frequent traveler.

According to Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, the operator of the airport, this free parking promotion has been customised as a practical and economical solution for passengers who frequently use the airport as a strategic gateway to their travel destinations and who prefer to drive to and fro the airport at their leisurely convenience.
‘Passengers usually want convenience and flexibility when they travel. At the same time, the cost of parking which they will incur is always given due consideration. However, with this attractive campaign in place, passengers can travel hassle-free because not only is our long-term car park under 24-hour surveillance and equipped with the best security features, it is now even more affordable. I believe this is a real value-for-money experience,’ said Kennedy Ayu, the Airport General Manager.

To qualify for this promotion, passengers who park for more than 24 hours only need to present their boarding pass upon payment of their parking coupon at the parking station of the Long Term Covered Car-Park. Each user shall only be entitled to a maximum of 100 days free parking on a per entry basis. Further details of the terms and conditions are available from the Information Counter at Senai International Airport or from the airport’s website (www.senaiairport.com).

About Senai Airport
Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (SATS) is the operator of Sultan Ismail Airport, also known as Senai International Airport. Located at southern gateway of Peninsular Malaysia, Senai International Airport is the new regional logistic hub with a vision to provide its customers a value-for-money experience that makes them patronise this world-class airport repeatedly, thereby creating sustainable value to the shareholders. As a centre of commercial aviation which provides reliable, efficient and secure services, the Airport is enhanced with the latest IT infrastructure, superb location, government incentives and support.

The Airport offers an array of facilities which are continuously upgraded and the highest service standards which are consistently maintained to ensure a truly pleasant experience for discerning travellers. For both the cargo and logistics business partners, the Senai Cargo Center with an available 34,000 sq ft of covered and secure warehouse complete with chiller and freezer facilities, optimises efficiency by employing the latest innovations and practices. In addition, 3,000 acres of landbank have been set aside for future development comprising aviation related industries and logistics services.

Do visit us online at: www.senaiairport.com

White_soX

March 22nd, 2006, 05:26 AM

I don't think people will fly because of free parking~could be?

nazrey

March 24th, 2006, 12:33 PM

Riau Airlines flight to boost JB tourism
Story and Photo by ZAZALI MUSA
Friday March 24, 2006

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/3/24/southneast/03plane.jpg

A delegation from Batam and officials of Senai Airport Terminal Services
posing with the Riau Airlines aircraft after the maidenflight arrival in Johor
Baru on Monday

SENAI: More Indonesians are expected to seek medical treatment in Johor Baru with the introduction of several direct flights to here from the republic.

Riau Airlines (http://www.riau-airlines.com/) station manager Kholil Wahyudi said Johor Baru, which has several private hospitals, could attract more Indonesians.

He said it was cheaper to seek medical treatment at private hospitals in Malaysia compared with hospitals in Jakarta or Singapore.

“Direct flights from Indonesia to Johor Baru will help boost the health tourism sector,” Kholil told reporters.

He was speaking during a ceremony to welcome the Riau Airlines Batam-Johor Baru-Batam maiden flight from at Senai Airport last weekend.

Kholil said the airline was also looking at possibilities of working with private hospitals and hotels here to come up with treatment packages.

He said the airline, which flew the Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru route last June, saw that many of its passengers were patients seeking treatment in Malacca.

Kholil said the 25-minute flight was an alternative for those who previously took ferry trips to Batam from Johor Baru, which took almost two hours.

He said, apart from targeting Indonesian patients, the airline was looking at agents of employment agencies and businessmen to use the service.

“We will increase the flight frequency from one weekly to three from next month,” said Kholil.

With the direct flights to Batam and Pekan Baru, the airline was hoping to attract more Malaysians to the Riau Archipelago, he said.

Riau Airlines is offering a one-month promotion rate of US$15 (RM57) for a one-way trip to Batam. The normal rate is US$20 (RM76).

White_soX

March 26th, 2006, 08:12 AM

Another prop in town...........how their schedule flight to KLIA, is it profitable?

nazrey

March 30th, 2006, 04:57 AM

Senai Airport relaunches enhanced website
29 Mar 2006 8:07 PM

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, which operates Senai International Airport, has launched its enhanced website, www.senaiairport.com, for the convenience of visitors.

In a statement on March 27, the airport’s general manager Kennedy Ayu said: “More people are using the Internet to explore the outside world for information. We aim to introduce Senai International Airport as a world-class airport to the global community through the website.”

The website contains information on facilities, services and flight information available at the airport.

It also features a section on ‘Business’, in line with the tagline Creating Possibilities for You, aimed to deliver the brand promise to potential business partners.

Another section that is incorporated is the ‘Press & Media’ segment which allows the media and press community to obtain detailed information on the airport and the management.

Senai International Airport said it was the first airport in Malaysia to create a comprehensive and passenger-friendly website for its target markets of passengers, logistics players, business and investor partners.

The airport aims to further develop its available landbank with plans to develop a cargo and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) hub by 2010.

It has also designated land for the development of a free commercial zone.

fairul

April 3rd, 2006, 11:24 AM

Senai's website is much better than the klia's website..which has nothing much to offer....

Subangite

April 4th, 2006, 03:15 AM

^^

Wow thats for sure...

compare

Senai airport website (http://www.senaiairport.com/)

KLIA website (http://www.klia.com.my/)

Senai Airport looks far far nicer!! Take note KLIA.

szehoong

April 4th, 2006, 06:22 AM

^^

Senai Airport looks far far nicer!! Take note KLIA.

Not only in terms of aesthetics but also functionality.....

Senai Airport had a flights timetable as well as a searchable option. KLIA only had the searcheable version :(

And of course some of the info within the KLIA website is pretty outdated :ohno:

White_soX

April 4th, 2006, 06:34 AM

The website that KLIA use to have b4 they channge to the current one is far much better!

aen

April 4th, 2006, 07:55 AM

that klia website is just a reflection on the laid back attitude of MAB. everything in the website is so cin-cai done. very unprofessional.

Magician

April 4th, 2006, 08:56 AM

agree... especially the schedule... they show only airline code.. who the hell knows all the airline codes if you are not in the airspace industry...

I strong recommend KLIA check Changi, Hong Kong airport side..

nazrey

April 15th, 2006, 07:09 AM

MAS move dismays Johor
31 March 2006

JOHOR BARU: Johor is "shocked and dismayed" at news that the Senai Airport might be dropped as a main hub for Malaysia Airlines under its new route rationalisation plan.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the State Government would lobby hard to reinstate Johor Baru as an important destination for MAS.

"The Federal Government is committed to making south Johor a regional logistics hub and reposition Johor Baru as an international destination.

"MAS cannot pull out now. It will only scuttle our plans," he told the New Straits Times.

Ghani said Johor would push hard to convince policy-makers in Putrajaya to include Johor Baru as one of MAS’ international and business hubs.

It was announced on Tuesday that the KLIA, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu international airports would be the only main MAS hubs for trunk routes.

Under the domestic route rationalisation exercise, MAS will operate 19 trunk routes, while AirAsia has been entrusted with 96 other low-cost operations.

If the plan goes through, MAS will stop flying to Johor Baru, with all services being taken over by AirAsia.

Ghani said there were several compelling reasons why the MAS service to Johor Baru should not only be reinstated but improved:

- The Senai Airport handled 325,000 passengers who flew on MAS last year, compared to 100,000 on AirAsia. Most company executives and businessmen preferred to fly MAS.
- Unlike AirAsia, MAS is permitted to run a bus shuttle service from Singapore to Senai Airport, a major attraction to Singaporeans because it is cheaper to fly from Senai.
- MAS now carries perishable goods from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching for the Singapore market, which AirAsia does not.
- AirAsia cargo rates are three times higher than those of MAS, a major put-off for exporters.
- The passenger baggage weight limit for MAS is 20kg, compared with 15kg for AirAsia.
- AirAsia flights are frequently delayed or rescheduled because of technical problems and limited aircraft.

Ghani said another major consideration was that Senai Airport, now privately owned and operated by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), is being developed to become a key passenger, air cargo and logistics hub in Asia.

SATS is spending RM1 billion over a 10-year period to realise this goal.

MAS now operates daily flights from Senai to KLIA (five), Kuching (three) and Kota Kinabalu (one).
AirAsia has 11 flights in and out of Senai daily.

Source : nst.com.my

nazrey

April 15th, 2006, 07:13 AM

9MP Report: RM10b boost for Johor
1 April 2006

THE 9MP will see greater emphasis on balanced regional development Towards this end, growth corridors will be identified and states given allocations.

Johor will receive RM10.2 billion, part of which will go towards developing the South Johor Development Authority (SJDA), which will be the Government’s vehicle to propel growth and reposition the State as a regional logistic and tourist hub.

SJDA, to be created by an act of Parliament, will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Johor Menteri Besar.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the investment arm of the Federal Government, will bankroll the development blueprint.

“The idea is to turn this region of about 1,970 sq km into a site of world-class facilities and services,” says Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

This growth corridor will stretch from the proposed new bridge and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex here to Gelang Patah on Johor’s southwestern coast.

The corridor will include Bandar Nusajaya, where the new Johor administrative capital is being built. The township has also been earmarked for a theme park, medical city and branch campuses of international universities.

The proposed logistic hub featuring the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Senai Airport and Johor Port in Pasir Gudang will also be covered under the SJDA.

Also included will be Danga Bay — the integrated waterfront city taking shape along Lido Beach here — and Cybercity, which will be Johor’s version of the Multimedia Super Corridor.

“The SJDA development masterplan, when fully realised over five years, should see Johor become a magnet for creative talent from around the world,” says Ghani.

At the same time, waterfront projects with commercial, recreational and residential properties are also planned for Lido Beach.

“SJDA will co-ordinate all this development to avoid duplication and minimise waste.”

Source : nst.com.my

nazrey

April 15th, 2006, 07:14 AM

Appeal to rethink plans on airport
1 April 2006

JOHOR BARU: The State Government has sent an appeal letter to the Federal Government to reconsider the decision to drop Senai Airport as a main hub for Malaysia Airlines under its new route rationalisation plan.

State Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Freddie Long said Johor stood to lose millions in tourism revenue if the plans were implemented.

He said passengers should be given the choice to choose between the services provided by the national carrier and no-frills operator AirAsia, which had been given 96 low-cost routes to operate under the domestic route rationalisation exercise compared to 19 trunk routes by MAS.

It was announced on Tuesday that the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu international airports would be the only main MAS hubs for trunk routes.

Long said a recent study showed that of the 1.24 million passengers who flew last year, 801,000 opted for MAS while 400,000 chose AirAsia.

Tourism industry players and business groups are also concerned over plans to downgrade Senai Airport as it ran contrary to efforts by the State Government to promote Johor Baru as an international destination.

It could lead to more "leakage" of passenger and cargo traffic to Singapore via Changi Airport. With only three KLIA-JB flights daily, it can be said that MAS has effectively pulled out from Senai Airport.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman on Thursday said any move to keep out MAS from Senai would scuttle plans to position Johor as a logistics hub and Johor Baru as an international city.

The sentiment was echoed by the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce Johor branch which said MAS should make Senai its hub for strategic reasons.

"Already Johor Baru is plagued by the border town syndrome. The MAS pullout will only serve to confirm this," said a spokesman. "This is sending mixed signals to tourists and investors and will affect Johor’s growth potential."

Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary-general Ng Yeow Song concurred, saying that AirAsia alone could not cater to the increasing demand for flights out of Senai.

The Malaysian Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar said Johor Baru was the southern gateway to Malaysia, which was good enough for MAS to not only remain but also improve services from Senai Airport

Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said tourism would be badly affected.

"AirAsia is a no-frills airline, but there are people who want to fly with a full-service airline. It means we are denying them their choice."

Source: nst.com.my

nazrey

April 15th, 2006, 07:15 AM

Riau Airlines increases flights
3 April 2006

RIAU Airlines is targeting to fly between 6,000 and 10,000 passengers on the Batam-Johor Baru-Batam route by the end of the year.

Its station manager Kholil Wahyudi said the airline would increase its flight frequency to Johor Baru from one flight weekly now to three times beginning next month.

He said demand for the route was good as it was the only Indonesian airline which has direct flight from the island to Johor Baru.

“We are providing an alternative to those who want to fly instead of taking ferry services,” Kholil said at the ceremony to welcome passengers from Batam on its maiden flight to Senai Airport, Johor Baru.

Riau airlines Fokker 50 plane touching down at Senai airport from Batam on its maiden flight
Kholil said the airline was targeting at the middle and higher income group for the service including businessmen, employment agencies agents and patients.

The airline uses a Fokker 50 plane for the 25-minute flight route; it now offers a promotional rate of US$15 (RM57) one-way ticket for a month.

After the promotion ends, the ticket will be priced at USD$20 (RM76) for one-way trip and has 45 appointed ticketing agents in Malaysia.

He said the airline hoped to attract more Indonesians who seek medical treatment to come to Johor Baru as there are many private hospitals here.

Kholil said the airline was looking at the possibilities of working together with several private health providers and hotels to offer health tourism packages.

He said the airline had flown many Indonesians on its Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru sector who came to the state for medical treatment.

“Medical treatment at private hospitals in Malacca is even cheaper than those in Jakarta or Singapore,” added Kholil.

He said it was also looking at air passengers from other parts of Indonesia such as Semarang, Surabaya, Jambi to fly the airline to Johor Baru or Singapore.

Kholil said it was much cheaper for them to take their flight from Batam instead of Jakarta as the island served as the airport hub in Riau Archipelago.

Source: thestar.com.my

nazrey

May 10th, 2006, 12:42 PM

Senai Cargo Complex, Johor

http://www.europeanprofiles.com/images/photo/large/900003/Imgp0066_large.jpg

http://www.europeanprofiles.com/images/photo/large/900003/Imgp0063_large.jpg

TYW

May 13th, 2006, 02:53 PM

http://www.europeanprofiles.com/images/photo/large/900003/Imgp0066_large.jpg
^^ at a glance, it looks like a stadium :D

^tamago^

May 14th, 2006, 12:25 AM

while i was landing at Senai from KL LCCT at night, i spotted this runway-looking arrangement of red lights flashing on and off, to the east of the runway just a minute before touching down.

any idea wat it is?

travellator

June 5th, 2006, 04:15 PM

Pics i took recently in Senai Airport, its an impressive small airport, hope its flight frequencies will grow as it certainly is trying very hard to please passengers :okay:
Public concourse areas with shops
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01030.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01061.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01062.jpg

travellator

June 5th, 2006, 04:19 PM

Departure hall is spacious and comfortable
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01064.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01065.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01066.jpg

travellator

June 5th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Departure hall cont....there is even a Watsons
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01067.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01068.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01069.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01070.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/DSC01071.jpg

fairul

June 6th, 2006, 05:26 AM

wow..JHB got two pharmacy..even dunkin donuts and 1901! how cool is that..
at least SATS is doing their job for keep on upgrading this airport....for the convenience of the passengers...
as for MAB..what can i say..huhuhu ..
travellator,thanks for sharing..

baqthier

June 6th, 2006, 11:14 AM

wow looks like a mall! I bet the retail scene at senai is better than at Langkawi airport now?

szehoong

June 6th, 2006, 11:25 AM

WOW! What a difference it is compared to like 2 years ago :eek:

I just hope they have more seats and a place to rest. :yes:

travellator

June 6th, 2006, 01:19 PM

^^there r now plenty of comfortable seats & its impressive just hope the flights r maintained as MAS is no more using it as a hub >(

pynshi91

June 9th, 2006, 07:18 AM

Nice airport....But less flights....yah...i agree...it looks like a small small to me....They should try their best to attract more foreign airlines to their airport in order for the airport to be sucessful.....I must say...They should change all those yellow signage......spoils the image of the airport...They should chage it into like KLIA...white...Then it's more soothing to the eyes and more classy...

nazrey

June 28th, 2006, 09:58 AM

Ghani: Cargo hub proceeding smoothly
9 June 2006

JOHOR BARU: Plans to build a cargo hub by the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) are progressing smoothly, says Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Skirting questions about a reported dispute between SATS and the land owner, Lee Rubber Co, he reiterated that the project would bring long-term benefits to the State and complement plans to transform south Johor into an economic growth area.

The project involves the acquisition of 1,600ha from Lee Rubber. The plot is sandwiched between Senai Airport, Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

"Senai’s strategic location can bring rapid growth to the State’s economy and the land acquisition will speed up the process," Ghani said yesterday.

The major shareholder of Lee Rubber is the family of the late Singaporean tycoon and philanthropist, Lee Kong Chian.

The New Straits Times reported on Tuesday that the project had been held up by a price-offer dispute and the size of land needed.

It is learnt that Lee Rubber was willing to give up a substantial portion of land for the cargo hub but had sought a guarantee that it would not be used for residential and commercial development.

Source : NST.com.my

nazrey

June 28th, 2006, 10:01 AM

More flights to Senai welcomed
15 June 2006
By TEH ENG HOCK

JOHOR BARU: The Johor government welcomes any move taken by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to increase flights to and from Senai Airport.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said he would like MAS to fly more frequently to Senai.

Under the route rationalisation scheme, MAS has stopped flying to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching from Senai. They have also reduced the 18 daily flights to Kuala Lumpur to just four.

“Consumers should be given a choice to pick between the two services (MAS and Air Asia) as they are different.

“We will lose travellers who do not want to fly with Air Asia. They may fly from Singapore to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu via other airlines,” he said at the State Assembly meeting recently.

Abdul Ghani added that some 280,000 people previously used MAS to travel from Senai to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching annually, compared to 70,000 who travelled via Air Asia.

Meanwhile, Gan Ping Sieu (BN-Mengkibol) said that other parts of the state should not be neglected as the state prioritised development in south Johor.

Gan said that of the RM12bil approved for state projects under the Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP), about 50% was allocated to projects in south Johor.

“The RM12bil is already short of the RM27bil the state initially requested,” he said.

Gan said that many state assemblymen including himself, whose constituency is not located in southern Johor, were concerned and worried if the projects in their areas were listed for approval under the 9MP.

“I will not be surprised if the assemblymen from Segamat district is disappointed and dissatisfied when told that the Tangkak- Segamat Highway will not be built under the 9MP.

“In the same context, if construction of the bridge and road widening of Jalan Besar in Kluang to connect Taman Intan to Taman Kluang Barat - which was postponed under the 8MP - is not implemented under the 9MP, residents will be angry over the traffic jams faced daily,” he said.

Gan said the well being of people living outside south Johor should be looked into.

“Can you imagine that Kluang district with 300,000 residents does not even have a community college, what more a higher learning institution,” he said.

Source: The Star

nazrey

June 28th, 2006, 10:02 AM

Rethink decision, government urged
17 June 2006
By MEERA VIJAYAN

JOHOR BARU: The Federal Government has been asked to reconsider plans to hand over domestic air routes to AirAsia as it would be tantamount to burying the aviation industry.

Maulizan Bujang (BN - Tiram) brought up the issue of what might happen if the privately owned AirAsia faced losses and was forced to close down.

He questioned whether the Government would step in and save the company even though it did not have a stake in it.

“How can we ensure that the aviation industry is not jeopardised? This is a long-term risk we face,” he said.

He also said that both international and local passengers who preferred to travel in comfort would be left with no option but to take the low-cost air carrier when travelling on domestic routes.

“Whether we want to or not, ministers, foreign diplomats, corporate figures and business executives would have to scramble for their own seats and make their bookings early,” he said.

Maulizan added that even foreign tourists who wanted to travel within the country would be forced to change flights at a different terminal, buy another ticket and arrange to have their checked in luggage transported to the other aircraft.

He said that currently MAS passengers used the Airo Bridge at the Senai airport in Johor while AirAsia used the stairs for disembarkation from the aircraft.

“If MAS ceases operations at Senai, what will happen to the additional facilities?

“If AirAsia were to use the Airo Bridge, they would have to pay the airport administrators extra which would surely result in a fare increase,” he said.

Maulizan said that he was convinced that passengers from Johor in particular would prefer to use the Changi airport in Singapore just to avoid the hassle.

“Now we have a bus service that brings Singaporeans to the Senai airport. One day, Singapore Airlines might provide a shuttle service for Johoreans to go to Changi,” he said.

According to Maulizan, instead of increasing competition with Singapore for passengers, the country would stand to lose passengers, thereby affecting both the tourism and business sectors.

Source: The Star

nazrey

June 28th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Senai can be Asean travel hub
17 June 2006

INCREASING flights to Senai could enable Johor's Sultan Ismail airport to compete with Singapore as a gateway to Asean countries, Chun Yoon Fook (BN – Senai) told the state assembly yesterday.

He said there should be more flights to Senai because it has potential to become an air transportation hub in the region.

“If we could have incentives to lure 10% or 20% of air travellers away from Singapore, the spillover effect could benefit the people of the state,” he said.

However, Chun said, the opportunity for the airport to develop further had been diminished now that there were fewer flights especially by Malaysian Airlines.

He suggested that the city be sanctioned as a premier domestic route destination and MAS and AirAsia flights be increased.

Source:The Star

nazrey

June 28th, 2006, 10:04 AM

'Reinstate Senai as a MAS hub'
22 June 2006

JOHOR is seeking an urgent meeting with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy to reinstate Senai Airport as a major hub for Malaysia Airlines.

State executive councillor Tan Kok Hong said Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had been scheduled to meet Chan on May 18, but the meeting was postponed.

Tan assured the House that concerted efforts were being made to reschedule the meeting soon to convince the ministry to recognise Senai Airport as a strategic national aviation hub.

It was announced in March that the Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu international airports would be the only main MAS hubs for trunk routes.

Under the domestic route rationalisation exercise, MAS will operate 19 trunk routes, while AirAsia has been entrusted with 96 low-cost operations.

Tan said MAS handled 285,566 passengers last year at Senai Airport, while Air Asia flew 75,039 passengers during the same period.
He said the traffic was especially high on the JB-Kuching sector, which recorded a 42.8 per cent increase during the first four months of this year, with 69,717 passengers compared with only 48,930 during the corresponding period last year.

AirAsia recorded a 22.6 per cent increase on this route, with 28,940 passengers between January and April compared with 23,669 passengers during the same period last year.

Tan said the cancellation of MAS’ services to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu from Johor Baru had deprived consumers of a choice, as many corporate passengers preferred the national carrier instead of Air-Asia.
He said the termination of MAS flights had adversely affected other sectors as well, including hospitality, food, transportation and entertainment.

"MAS flights should be reinstated as its customer base from Senai Airport stands at more than 75 per cent. The national carrier also handled more than 400 tonnes of cargo a month, with 65 per cent being imports and exports from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu."
He said for MAS not to serve Senai would negate the Federal Government’s intentions to develop Senai as an integral part of a southern regional logistics hub.

On foreign investment, Tan said Johor received RM5.8 billion in foreign direct investments last year, making it one of the most sought-after States in the country.

State executive councillor Freddie Long said Johor would position itself to receive the spillover of tourists from Singapore when the republic’s "integrated resorts" (casino) projects were fully operational.

The State would actively woo tourists from across the Causeway, he said.

"We will entice them with extended tours to Tanjung Piai, Taman Negara, islands off Mersing and Desaru," he said.

"We could also get tourists to stay in our five-star hotels, which have cheaper rates than those in Singapore due to the lower exchange rate."

To a question by Harun Abdullah (BN-Tanjung Surat), who wanted to know if fishermen affected by sand dredging would be compensated, Long said 48 fishermen in Kuala Selong and Kuala Sungai Lebam in Kota Tinggi would receive a monthly compensation of RM100 each.

Long, who is State Tourism and Environment Committee chairman, said the Kota Tinggi district Land Office would be meeting the fishermen again as some were unhappy with the compensation.

Source : New Straits Times

nazrey

July 15th, 2006, 07:56 AM

From flickr.com
JB Senai Airport

http://static.flickr.com/32/48934139_71434a612f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/32/48934161_a6a9c205a4_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/24/48945877_aa2964c3d9_o.jpg

nazrey

August 9th, 2006, 05:28 AM

Let's give more airlines landing rights at Senai
05-08-2006
The Star

JOHOR BARU: More airlines should be granted landing rights at Senai Airport to make Johor more connected, state Tourism and Environment committee chairman Freddie Long said.

Connectivity was vital if Johor was to see progress in the tourism industry, he said, adding that the state government would ask the Federal Government to increase the number of international flights to Senai airport.

Due to the limited air access to Senai airport, many tourists only come into Johor via Changi Airport in Singapore, he said.

＾This will not be good for the tourism industry in the long run,￣ he said, adding that Senai airport was of international standard and was fully equipped to handle more flights.

It is the best airport in the country after KL International Airport. But the number of flights are limited, he told reporters after launching the 8hth Matta International Fair here yesterday.

Long said they were currently working on promoting Senai as an alternative to Changi airport.

We want more routes to and from Senai. We are in talks with some Indian airlines and will speak to Chinese airlines as well, he said.

This year¨s Matta fair boasts more bargains for tour packages and a wide selection of holiday destinations.

The three-day fair, which is open between 10am and 10pm at the Regency Hotel By the Sea, ends tomorrow.

Entrance tickets are priced at RM3 each for adults. Children below 12 get to go in free.

globocentric

August 9th, 2006, 10:33 AM

baqthier

August 9th, 2006, 06:32 PM

http://static.flickr.com/24/48945877_aa2964c3d9_o.jpg

Nice bench!

Very Controversial

August 10th, 2006, 01:18 AM

Nice airport.

Vince

August 10th, 2006, 02:47 AM

The second best airport after KL?please?dont be delusional. I was there just a few months ago and it is even worse than Kuching. Giving airlines more landing rights? Who wants to fly there at the first place?

"Worse than Kuching"......Elaborate "worse".

"Who wants to fly there?".......Why were you there?

liping_t

August 10th, 2006, 06:41 AM

pynshi91

August 11th, 2006, 08:19 AM

I agree bout the yellow signs....ack. No contrast....hard to read. But boy, what a pleasure to see timber strip flooring. Such soothing dark colours...

i agree with you..

nazrey

December 6th, 2006, 11:23 AM

by Flick it Out !!! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/weiwenc/tags/johor/) of flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/106/313985815_dafbe46348_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/102/313982486_852b609054_o.jpg

Skyprince

December 7th, 2006, 04:36 AM

AK has reduced its frequency from KUL to JHB to 1 flight / day

^tamago^

December 7th, 2006, 06:36 AM

AK increased its daily frequency of KUL-JHB with a third afternoon flight in July after it took over a sizeable portion of the domestic routes of MAS, before temporarily reducing it to a single daily flight in late September (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=5520707&postcount=116) due to Ramadan. But the afternoon and night flights were not resumed since.

But it can more realistically be linked to the fact that demand did not pick up, there were more lucrative routes, and AK is instead patiently waiting for the approval of the SIN-KUL route.

I was planning to fly at that period and were shocked at flights being removed from the flight schedule. I'll be flying again in less than 2 weeks, but no return flights for me.

Skyprince

December 7th, 2006, 06:49 AM

Hey, what about KUL-IPH ? I used to travel a lot to Ipoh by plane to visit my uncle and cousins who live there ( even gotta travel 70km to the airport )
But now no more flights between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh ! Aduh, I have to hire a driver lah next time !

nazrey

March 2nd, 2007, 12:48 PM

Any airline welcomed to operate from Senai
4 February 2007

MALAYSIA welcomes any airline to operate from airports in the country, including the Senai International Airport.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the government was aggressively promoting the Senai International Airport as the commercial hub for the southern part of the peninsula.

“There is no problem for any airline to land at Senai,” he said yesterday after receiving RM60,000 from an anonymous corporate figure to rebuild SRJK (C) Kung Yu in Kundang Ulu which suffered termite attack after the Johor floods.

Chan said as more airlines had applied for landing rights in the country, they could also land at Senai.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, he said RM100 million had been allocated to extend the runway of the Senai Airport.

Chan said any budget airline could operate from Senai without any problem except those from Singapore Airline, which was under a Bilateral Aviation Agreement.

He also said Malaysia has approved Australian budget airline Jetstar to operate between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur from Sept 9 this year.

He said a few more airlines had begun negotiations with the Malaysian Airport Berhad for similar landing rights.

Source : New Straits Times

nazrey

March 2nd, 2007, 12:50 PM

Majukan Lapangan Terbang Senai
5 February 2007
Oleh: KHAIRUDDIN MOHD AMIN dan AINUL ASNIERA AHSAN

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (SATS), yang mengambil alih Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai, di Johor daripada Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd. (MAHB), pada penghujung tahun 2003, dalam urusniaga bernilai RM80 juta, komited untuk menjadikan lapangan terbang itu, sebagai Pusat Logistik Asia.

Bagi merealisasikan usaha itu, SATS memperuntukkan pelaburan awal kira-kira RM1 bilion, bagi kerja-kerja naik taraf untuk tempoh lima tahun, seiring dengan pembangunan di Wilayah Ekonomi Selatan Johor (SJER), yang kini dikenali Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar (WPI).

Peruntukan besar itu selaras dengan usaha SATS untuk menarik syarikat kargo dan pengendali syarikat lapangan terbang utama menggunakan lapangan terbang tersebut, sekali gus menjadikannya sebagai pangkalan serantau.

Usaha menaik taraf kemudahan dan fungsi Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai untuk menyediakan kemudahan terbaik kepada penumpang serta pengendalian kargo udara, bakal membuka dimensi baru dalam dunia pengangkutan di negeri itu.

Peranan dan fungsi lapangan terbang itu berubah daripada hanya tertumpu mengendalikan penumpang, kini ia mengubah Johor menjadi pusat logistik dan pengagihan bersepadu serantau.

Pelaburan SATS itu, setidak-tidaknya memberi persaingan kepada negara jiran yang sudah pun mempunyai kedudukan kukuh dalam industri perkhidmatan, pengurusan dan pengendalian kargo di rantau ini.

Kini, SATS yang telah beroperasi kira-kira tiga tahun di lapangan terbang itu, berjaya memainkan peranan besar dalam menjana ekonomi Johor tetapi secara umumnya, ia masih belum mampu memberi saingan kepada negara jiran.

Secara teori, Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai mampu memberi saingan kuat kepada negara jiran dari segi menarik pelanggan antarabangsa, kerana nilai mata wang ringgit mampu menawarkan potongan 50 peratus berbanding dolar Singapura.

Difahamkan, SATS berminat mengembangkan perniagaannya termasuk mengadakan perkhidmatan antarabangsa tanpa had ke negeri itu, namun usaha itu tidak mudah untuk dilaksanakan.

Antara cadangan pengendali lapangan terbang itu ialah mengadakan perkhidmatan mengerjakan umrah, selain terbang ke destinasi serantau seperti Indonesia, Thailand dan India yang dilihat berpotensi membangunkan lapangan terbang berkenaan.

Menurut sumber industri itu, pembangunan dan perniagaan di lapangan terbang tersebut, yang dahulu dikenali sebagai Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail, sebenarnya mampu dimajukan pada tahap terbaik, sekiranya dilaksanakan dasar terbuka dengan membenarkan syarikat penerbangan antarabangsa mengadakan perkhidmatan tanpa had ke negeri itu.

“Sekiranya tiada syarikat tempatan bersedia mengadakan perkhidmatan di Senai meskipun mereka diberikan keutamaan, mengapa tidak membenarkan syarikat penerbangan lain mengadakan perkhidmatan ke Senai?

“Bukankah langkah itu mampu merealisasikan komitmen SATS di lapangan terbang tersebut, selain berupaya mengekang penduduk Johor dari menyeberangi Tambak Johor untuk ke luar negara,” katanya.

Menurut sumber itu, bagi perkhidmatan umrah, Malaysian Airlines System Bhd. (MAS) hanya berminat melakukan empat penerbangan setahun, melalui perkhidmatan sewa khas manakala Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai pula bercadang mencari syarikat penerbangan yang sanggup mengendalikan tiga penerbangan seminggu.

“Kini kebanyakan orang Johor pergi umrah melalui Singapura,” jelasnya.

AirAsia, syarikat tambang murah tempatan telah menghentikan perkhidmatan terus Johor Bahru-Jakarta, dan kini syarikat penerbangan Indonesia Kartika Airlines mengendalikan perkhidmatan antarabangsa ke Surabaya.

MAS, syarikat penerbangan kebangsaan pula hanya menawarkan perkhidmatan antarabangsa kepada penduduk Johor menerusi Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai yang diambilalih oleh Senai Airport, sejak bulan November 2003 telah membelanjakan kira-kira RM200 juta untuk menaik taraf lapangan terbang terbabit.

Pada tahun ini, SATS dilaporkan merancang memanjangkan landasan di lapangan terbang itu, bagi membolehkan pesawat B747 dengan kapasiti penuh, mendarat berbanding ketika ini hanya boleh menerima pesawat yang sama dengan 80 peratus kapasiti.

Sumber itu berkata, pembangunan lapangan terbang di Malaysia tidak seimbang, kerana hanya tertumpu kepada KLIA, sebagai pusat penerbangan.

Tambah beliau, MAS juga lebih cenderung mengadakan perkhidmatan ke luar negara dari KLIA, walaupun lapangan terbang lain seperti Johor berpotensi menawarkan peluang perniagaan kepada syarikat penerbangan kebangsaan itu.

“Bukankah lebih baik sekiranya lapangan- lapangan terbang utama seperti di Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kuching dan Kota Kinabalu turut diberi layanan sama seperti yang diberikan kepada KLIA?

“Langkah itu membolehkan lapangan-lapangan terbang terbabit mengalami pertumbuhan dan berkembang selari dengan KLIA,” ujarnya.

Secara logiknya, di mana-mana negara pun, pembangunan lapangan terbang tidak boleh dilakukan oleh satu pihak sahaja, sebaliknya ia memerlukan bantuan, inisiatif dan insentif daripada pihak berkuasa.

Pembangunan lapangan terbang perlu disokong oleh semua pihak kerana perkembangan pesatnya kelak akan turut membantu menarik lebih banyak pelabur ke negara ini.

Keadaan itu seterusnya akan menjadikan proses menjana pertumbuhan ekonomi negara dan negeri Johor khususnya dapat direalisasikan.

Paling penting, segala usaha menaik taraf Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai oleh SATS akan meletakkan negeri itu, di landasan yang betul menjadikan Johor sebagai koridor ekonomi serta pusat sistem pengangkutan, bukan sahaja di Malaysia tetapi di rantau ini.

Source : Utusan Online

fairul

March 6th, 2007, 04:33 AM

the expansion for Senai airport will start sometime late this year...will expand the cargo center and expand apron for the cargo facility...the staff in the office still busy doing the tender documents..will keep u guys updated on this project...

nazrey

April 27th, 2007, 05:15 PM

by Lone Wolf23

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/363515907_db62987a04_b.jpg

Magician

April 28th, 2007, 08:06 PM

I guess the location of Senai Airport is really not strategic enough...

TYW

April 29th, 2007, 10:30 AM

^^ maybe they need better transport link to the airport??

sometimes airports being too strategic means short skyscrapers he he....

Magician

April 29th, 2007, 03:59 PM

There are a number of ways getting to Senai... honestly its quite convenient...

^tamago^

May 12th, 2007, 08:53 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/may07/may11-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/may07/may11-03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/may07/may11-04.jpg

pynshi91

June 23rd, 2007, 09:55 AM

GREAT NEWS GUYS!!!AIRASIA IS GOING TO FLY FROM JOHOR BAHRU TO MACAU SOON!!!...CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE....

www.airasia.com.my

rilham2new

June 23rd, 2007, 10:09 AM

Arkdriver

June 23rd, 2007, 08:34 PM

yeah. HANG NADIM and Changi. JHB is actually less busier than PEN.

Magician

June 25th, 2007, 02:59 AM

This airport will always compete with CHANGI airport in Singapore and HANG NADIM airport in BATAM island, INDONESIA..

We have to admit, that even HANG NADIM airport is much more busier ... at one time we can spot about 5-10 planes in an airport. ;)

As JB resident, I will always prefer to take flights from CHANGi for intl destination or HANG NADIM airport for Indonesia domestic destination :D

Hang Nadim Airport even served special flight during hajj season, and some UMRAH flight.

Umm, I guess, SENAI airport have to increase their service to Sabah and Sarawak :D.. There is still so many opportunity to open new routes.

For SEMENANJUNG route, I'm not sure... I prefer using BUS or TRAIN (plane is expensive :D)

Another point to add is... the other time I went to JB to check with them the tour package from Malaysia (namely JB) to Hong Kong. The travel agent actually told me that forget that I will get cheaper fare travelling from JB to Hong Kong since I have to transit at KL and this will be very costly. Most JB people will just take plane from Singapore to other parts or the world since the price will be more affordable.

Nowadays, JB is so messy... even as a Malaysian, I have to re-consider if I want to go to JB to take a flight... with so many lugage, you or I can be the next target of the bad-guys :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

White_soX

June 25th, 2007, 11:15 AM

they overconfident with this airport haha

teckkang

June 25th, 2007, 03:06 PM

I love the chairs. :cheers: :cheers:

musang

August 9th, 2007, 10:13 AM

imo, MMC shud set up a LCC operating from Senai. it shud cover the region 1st, then if AirAsiaX proves 2b a success then they can copy the MO. itz abt time some1 plugs the leakage.

nazrey

August 26th, 2007, 03:16 PM

Senai International Airport

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/5415/45453520gk.jpg

Source : Airliners network (http://www.airliners.net/)

Location : Senai
Client : Senai Sky Services Sdn Bhd
DP Architects

http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/9/8/26/f_20m_813cb47.jpg

nazrey

August 26th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Entrance view

http://img203.exs.cx/img203/6716/jb30gw.jpg

nazrey

August 26th, 2007, 03:25 PM

Masterplan

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-comm01.jpg

SATS has developed a comprehensive 20 years master plan to transform Senai International Airport and its surrounding to a world-class airport city comprising of transportation, logistics, commercial, retail and tourist development. These airport development will be the catalyst of growth in making Senai and the surroundings a new integrated city within a city.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-comm02.jpg

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Phase 1 2003-2006
Development of Airport Terminal Retail Area
Development of Senai Integrated Transport Terminal
Development of Senai Transit Hotel

Phase 2 2007-2010
Development of Rail Transit Link
Development of Senai Duty Free, Retail and Showroom Complex
Development Lifestyle Apartment Suites
Development of Senai Business Park
Development of Senai Trade and Exhibition Centre

Phase 3 2011-2023
Development of Family Theme Park
Development of Sports and Recreation Park

PHASE 1 ..SENAI CARGO CENTRE

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/8678/phase1senaicargocentre6lr.jpg

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-cargo-agents04.jpg

More Here (http://www.senaiairport.com/biz.asp?menuid=100062&rootid=100002&splid=)

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/biz-intro01.jpg

nazrey

August 26th, 2007, 03:28 PM

Local Catchments Area
According to Boeing, economic activity measured by the Gross Domestic Product is the primary driver for air cargo industry growth. Johor’s GDP has been growing at a healthy rate, higher than Malaysia’s overall GDP. In 2004, Johor recorded a GDP of 8% compared to the national GDP of 7% driven by strong growth in manufacturing and construction sector. Most of the manufacturing exports are from the electronics and textile industries intended for major markets such as the Far East, Europe and North America.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/maps/biz-malaysia.jpg

teckkang

August 27th, 2007, 04:53 AM

musang

August 28th, 2007, 06:18 PM

existing looks cute, masterplan really ambitious..

Irwin

August 28th, 2007, 06:55 PM

WTH!! Melaka got 900k ppl !!?? Wrong info dude.
Melaka will be like Penang already with that pop.

Penang's population is about 1.6 million, with metropolitan population of more than 2 million.

This metropolitan population is only about one third of Klang Valley's population. :omg: Klang Valley is so populated.

White_soX

August 28th, 2007, 11:28 PM

a bit too ambitious, unless if they plan to make Johor a low fare hub, I see why not.........

pedang

August 29th, 2007, 04:14 AM

AirAsia to make Senai airport its key hub

August 29 2007

MALAYSIA'S low cost carrier AirAsia will turn Senai International Airport, which is within the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), into its key hub servicing regional and China destinations.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said yesterday that as the company grows its business in Senai and adds more routes to the airport, Johor and its tourism industry could expect more tourists.

“The company is planning to add more routes in Senai, for example Johor Baru-Jakarta, Johor Baru-Bangkok and Johor Baru-Hong Kong. We have also received proposals to start Johor Baru-Manado and Johor Baru-Medan.

“We (AirAsia) see huge potential in Senai. I see plans for IDR, big business in IDR, (and) we are very excited,” he said after receiving AirAsia passengers arriving on the inaugural Johor Baru-Macau and Johor Baru-Palembang flights at Senai.

Pointing out that last year AirAsia brought 700,000 passengers into Senai, he expects this number to touch one million this year.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, state executive councillor for tourism Freddie Long and AirAsia deputy group chief executive officer Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun.

Fernandes said AirAsia’s move to make Senai its key hub shows the company’s commitment in being an active player in the IDR.

“We are not waiting for IDR to become a success. We have full confidence in the project and we are planting the seeds now,” he added.

On the Johor Baru-Macau route, he said the flight has a “phenomenal"

85 per cent load factor, as airlines need about 18 months to develop routes.

“We saw a lot of Chinese tourists on the flight, so the Johor Baru-Macau route could also be a gateway for people from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou,” he added.

He disclosed that both routes, to Macau and Palembang, will be serviced by AirAsia’s newly-acquired Airbus A320. — Bernama

musang

August 30th, 2007, 02:13 PM

^ make it JB-Ujung Pandang and JB-Bali as well..

mandible

September 1st, 2007, 07:32 PM

According to Senai Airport website, the Malaysia Airlines affiliated SPS Coaches that operate between Grand Copthorne Orchid Hotel Singapore and Senai International airport has ceased operations with effect from 15 Aug 07.

This means that the only direct land link between Senai Airport and Singapore is gone! How unfortunate this is for Singaporeans who shuttle to Senai for cheap domestic flights on MAS. :(

White_soX

September 2nd, 2007, 05:31 AM

wronf, bcuz its cheaper to fly with SIA

ddes

September 2nd, 2007, 12:07 PM

Maybe the IDR developments could build a metro/light rail system linking JHB to JB Sentral. Then perhaps both JB-ians and Singaporeans can travel to JHB easier.

I would fly AK, to MFM, HKG, BKK from Senai if it was far easier to get there from Singapore.

nazrey

September 15th, 2007, 12:07 PM

Airport’s emergency drill a success
Saturday September 15, 2007
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/9/15/southneast/se_07firedept.jpg

Good timing: Fire and Rescue Department personnel arriving at the scene.

AN aircraft caught fire leaving dozens of people – injured and dead – lying on the runway of the Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai.

Thirty-three firemen were busy controlling the flames while rescuers rushed to save lives.

But the news of the plane crash on Sept 6 that killed 10 people and injured 25 others was not reported in the press as it was merely a drill carried out at the airport.

The “crash” of a B737-400 aircraft with six crew and 70 passengers onboard happened at 2.25pm.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/9/15/southneast/se_07rush.jpg

Hard work: Firemen rushing to control the blaze from spreading.

Within 20 minutes, the first medical team arrived, followed by the Fire and Rescue Department at 2.54pm.

The Senai Airport Terminal Services corporate communications department even updated the mass media on the development of the crash every 30 minutes.

Airport general manager Kennedy Ayu said the airport was busy as it handled 37 flights to 10 destinations daily.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/9/15/southneast/se_07medics.jpg

Helping hands: A team of medics rushing to aid the injured.

He said more than one million passengers used the airport yearly.

“So far there has been no untoward incident as we maintain a high safety standard at the airport,” he said, adding that the airport had five fire-engines.

Ayu said 10 destinations served by the airport include Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tawau, Macau and Palembang.

musang

September 25th, 2007, 11:48 AM

Senai now is one of the freighter destinations for Qatar Airways Cargo, inaugral flight last Sept 8. the weekly flight will soon be increased to 2xweekly operating direct from JB to Doha

bravo to better future for Senai.. i wonder why MASKargo is not taking JB as one of its cargo hubs? i mean all this time most shprs have used Changi for their airfreight arrangement...

nazrey

October 18th, 2007, 06:59 AM

Qatar Airways starts new logistics service
24 Septemper 2007
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/9/24/maritime/mt_pg26qatar.jpg

A Qatar Airways Cargo airplane
at Sultan Ismail International Airport in Johor.

EXPORTERS in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia can now have direct air connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and Africa from Johor.

Qatar Airways Cargo has been operating the new logistics service since Sept 1.

The service marks Qatar Airways' expansion into this region by using Sultan Ismail International Airport to operate its regular weekly freight service via Senai Cargo Terminal.

The service will help southern manufacturers save cost and time by having the direct export gateway.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said he was honoured that Qatar Airways Cargo chose Johor as one of its destinations.

“We anticipate the load factor to be about 80% for the first few flights,” he said in a statement.

He said that based on the market feedback, there was strong demand and support for dedicated services out of Johor and there would be a second weekly flight soon.

“SATS plans to provide a direct linkage for Johor manufacturers to major global markets that emphasise timeliness and cost efficiency.

“We are also strongly positioned to attract airlines to provide freighter services to the US, Japan and China,” he said.

Mohd Sidik said the tie-up with Qatar Airways Cargo was in line with the development of the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in Johor.

“Logistics and its related services represent one of the five economic drivers for IDR, and the direct air freight service will serve as a catalyst to boost the direct export trade from Johor,” he said.

SATS, in its ten-year plan, will develop the airport and its vicinity into Senai logistics city comprising 12 main components.

The components include cargo centre, aviation cluster, land-rail-port connectivity, industrial district, logistics centre and agro-eco industrial estate.

Other components are halal logistics hub, seafood processing hub, auto logistics cluster, chemical logistics hub, pharmazone and business boulevard.

These developments will take place on an integrated multimodal logistics and transport platforms of air, land, rail and sea.

They will be within a single custom bonded special economic zone.

The airport has vast land, which can be developed to provide a range of aeronautical and non-aeronautical commercial services.

pynshi91

October 18th, 2007, 03:44 PM

Nation
Thursday October 18, 2007
MYT 7:19:54 PM

Firefly to operate from 3 more domestic hubs

KUALA LUMPUR: Community airline Firefly has been given the approval to operate domestic and international networks out of Subang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu.

The airline, which was launched in April as part of Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) business turnaround plan, is currently operating from its existing hub in Penang.

MAS managing director and Firefly chairman Datuk Idris Jala said the decision was definitely in the interest of its customers and the Malaysian public.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong said the airline would commence twice daily flights between Subang and Penang effective Oct 29 with bookings available online from Friday.

-the star

travellator

November 2nd, 2007, 02:04 PM

coffee bean Senai airport http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0043.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0046.jpg

model of future Senai airport development
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0044.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0045.jpg

nazrey

November 3rd, 2007, 04:54 AM

Learning to fly at Senai
Saturday November 3, 2007
By TEH ENG HOCK

JOHOR BARU: Every weekend, dozens of people gather at the little nondescript container cabin at the cargo complex of Senai Airport.

Many are doctors, engineers, businessmen and high-ranking executives and professionals, but there are also a handful of students among the crowd. They have one common interest — to take to the skies.

The cabin they are gathered at is the office of the Fras Flying Club, which has 155 members.

Many learn to fly at the club, which owns five aircrafts and is planning to add another four next year.

“We have two Cessna 172s, two Flightstars, and a R44 helicopter. But it is not enough to cater to all the members, as most of them are only free to fly on weekends.

“So we are planning to bring in another two Cessnas and two Piper PA28 planes in January,” said club director Capt Gurcharan Singh.

Capt Gurcharan Singh said the club was in the process of leasing a 0.8ha piece of land from Senai Airport to build a new hangar cum office.

“We can easily fit 20 to 30 planes in the area. The maintenance bay itself should be able to accommodate six aircraft,” he said.

The club offers flying lessons to those who want to obtain a Restricted Private Pilot Licence (RPPL) or a Full Private Pilot Licence (FPPL).

With the RPPL, members are allowed to fly experimental and light-sport aircraft (LSA) only, while those who hold the FPPL can fly general aviation aircrafts such as the Cessna and the Piper planes.

LSA are small aircrafts lighter than 600kg, while the experimental aircrafts are self-assembled by the pilot himself.

“They parts come in boxes, and you have to assemble at least 51% of the plane. But it is not easy and many gave up after they encounter complications during assembly,” said Capt Gurcharan Singh.

He said it would take at least 30 flying hours to get the RPPL and 50 hours for the FPPL.

More than 100 students have obtained their pilot’s licence from the club since it was founded in 1997.

To become a member, one has to pay a one-off joining fee of RM1,800 and a monthly subscription of RM70.

Coaching fees start at RM320 per hour for the Flightstar, RM499 for the Cessna 172, and RM1,750 for the R44 helicopter.

The club is also offering scholarships for four people to obtain their pilot instructors licence.

“There is a shortage of instructors now, and the demand for such people is increasing. So instead of pinching staff from elsewhere, we want to train up our own people. It will cost us about RM200,000 to train each person,” he said.

For details, check out www.frasflyingclub. com.my

nazrey

November 4th, 2007, 04:00 AM

Learning to fly at Senai
Saturday November 3, 2007
Pictures by KENNETH WONG
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/11/3/southneast/airport.jpg

All in a row: A fleet of light aircraft parked at the Senai Airport.

JOHOR BARU: Every weekend, dozens of people gather at the little nondescript container cabin at the cargo complex of Senai Airport.

Many are doctors, engineers, businessmen and high-ranking executives and professionals, but there are also a handful of students among the crowd. They have one common interest — to take to the skies.

The cabin they are gathered at is the office of the Fras Flying Club, which has 155 members.

Many learn to fly at the club, which owns five aircrafts and is planning to add another four next year.

“We have two Cessna 172s, two Flightstars, and a R44 helicopter. But it is not enough to cater to all the members, as most of them are only free to fly on weekends.

“So we are planning to bring in another two Cessnas and two Piper PA28 planes in January,” said club director Capt Gurcharan Singh.

Capt Gurcharan Singh said the club was in the process of leasing a 0.8ha piece of land from Senai Airport to build a new hangar cum office.

“We can easily fit 20 to 30 planes in the area. The maintenance bay itself should be able to accommodate six aircraft,” he said.

The club offers flying lessons to those who want to obtain a Restricted Private Pilot Licence (RPPL) or a Full Private Pilot Licence (FPPL).

With the RPPL, members are allowed to fly experimental and light-sport aircraft (LSA) only, while those who hold the FPPL can fly general aviation aircrafts such as the Cessna and the Piper planes.

LSA are small aircrafts lighter than 600kg, while the experimental aircrafts are self-assembled by the pilot himself.

“They parts come in boxes, and you have to assemble at least 51% of the plane. But it is not easy and many gave up after they encounter complications during assembly,” said Capt Gurcharan Singh.

He said it would take at least 30 flying hours to get the RPPL and 50 hours for the FPPL.

More than 100 students have obtained their pilot’s licence from the club since it was founded in 1997.

To become a member, one has to pay a one-off joining fee of RM1,800 and a monthly subscription of RM70.

Coaching fees start at RM320 per hour for the Flightstar, RM499 for the Cessna 172, and RM1,750 for the R44 helicopter.

The club is also offering scholarships for four people to obtain their pilot instructors licence.

“There is a shortage of instructors now, and the demand for such people is increasing. So instead of pinching staff from elsewhere, we want to train up our own people. It will cost us about RM200,000 to train each person,” he said.

For details, check out www.frasflyingclub. com.my

nazrey

December 3rd, 2007, 05:58 AM

model of future Senai airport development

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0044.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Senai%20I%20A/IMG_0045.jpg

From Hintan Associates Sdn Bhd

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_expansion/airport_exp01.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_expansion/airport_exp02.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_expansion/airport_exp04.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_expansion/airport_exp_title.gif

Proposed built up area: 173,352 sq.ft.
Location: Senai Airport, Johor, Malaysia

Client: Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd
Project status: Commenced December 2006.

Ongoing development. Architectural design for significant landside expansion in Senai Airport including terminal area masterplanning. The landside retail expansion of Senai is in like with new commercial demands and a desire to recreate Senai into an international brand.

Introduction
Close to 47,067 sq. ft. of retail space will be added to turn the airport into a shopping hub for north Johor whilst a hotel, factory outlet, an office park are envisaged in the near term development plans. Outdoor lifestyle plazas will be integrated into the commercial concept. The new enlarged terminal is a mark of architectural integration of circulation, space, structure and servicing, retail needs, office needs, rain protection and vehicular flow.

nazrey

December 3rd, 2007, 06:00 AM

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_cargo/airport_cargo05.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_cargo/airport_cargo04.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_cargo/airport_cargo01.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_cargo/airport_cargo_title.gif

From Hintan Associates Sdn Bhd
Gross area: 39,536 sq. ft.

Net area: 4,951 sq. ft.

Location: Johor, Malaysia

Concept design completed: May 2003
Completed: 28th May 2004

Architect: Hin Tan
Contractor: IJM Construction Sdn Bhd
Structural engineers: Maunsell, Sharma & Zakaria Sdn Bhd
Mechanical & Electrical engineers: Perunding Kotrek Sdn Bhd

Introduction
Project completed.
Architectural design for an interim cargo facility and office annex in the airport of Senai, Johor. The TCB as designed has a 72.37m X 50.77m footprint totalling 3,673 square metres of freight processing space and an office attachment of 460 square metres.

nazrey

December 3rd, 2007, 06:02 AM

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_airhub/airport_airhub01.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_airhub/airport_airhub02.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_airhub/airport_airhub05.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_airhub/airport_airhub06.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_airhub/airport_airhub_title.gif

From Hintan Associates Sdn Bhd
Area: 161,459 sq.ft.
Completed: September 2002
Airport consultants: Hochtief Airport GmbH
Cargo handling consultants: TLC, London
Location: Senai Airport Terminal, Johor, Malaysia
Client: Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd
Project status: Commenced June 2002.
Architectural design for a major cargo hub in Senai Airport comprising a 161,459 sq. ft. cargo hall and 4 blocks of office space in landscaping. Natural daylighting and wentilation were our generating forces and let to the aerodynamic cross section of the building.

Introduction
Architectural concept design for a super cargo terminal in the airport of Senai, Johor, 35 km away from Singapore.

At macro level, this is the larger issue that we seek to explore: the relationship of the tropical environment to economic activity, culture and built form. At an architectural level, we seek to integrate structure, form and space to transcend function, to extend into the landscape and to create spaces that have a positive effect on our senses.

nazrey

December 3rd, 2007, 06:04 AM

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_masterplan/airport_mplan06.jpg

http://www.hintan.com/images/project/pro_airport/airport_masterplan/airport_mplan_title.gif

From Hintan Associates Sdn Bhd
Proposed built up area: 15,779,817 sq.ft.
Study completed: 12th January 2004
Transport consultants: NACO for the airside runway system
Location: Senai Airport, Johor, Malaysia
Client: Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd
Project status: Masterplan study completed.

Masterplanning for 1.5 million square metres (360 acres) of airport land for a new runway and upgrated taxiway, cargo and commercial airport development.

Introduction
Our study included the integration of the Temporary Cargo Building, the Airfreight Hub, the expansion of the existing terminal, the concept design for a new 10 million passenger terminal and the opening up of the rest of the airport site into commercial zones.

Close attention was paid to the traffic flow to ease the poor circulation in front of the terminal and new transport links designed to turn Senai into an intermodal hub.

pynshi91

December 3rd, 2007, 11:14 AM

coool..~~

White_soX

December 3rd, 2007, 01:01 PM

is that a beach club?

nazrey

January 15th, 2008, 06:29 AM

More stops now for Firefly
Source : The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Firefly has been given the green light to operate domestic and international flights out of Subang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu, besides Penang.

The airline, launched in April as part of Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) business turnaround plan, is currently operating from Penang.

MAS managing director and Firefly chairman Datuk Idris Jala said the decision was definitely in the interest of its customers and the public.

“We are grateful to the Government for having confidence in our product and operations as Malaysia’s first community airline.

“We have been informed that this was a collective decision of the Cabinet and are fully appreciative of the Government’s support for MAS and Firefly,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Firefly managing director Eddy Leong said that the airline would commence twice-daily flights between Subang and Penang from Oct 29, with bookings available online from today.

“The approval for Firefly’s network expansion will greatly enhance our mission of creating safe, reliable and affordable air links for the communities within Malaysia and in the Asean region,” he said.

With the approval, Firefly will be expanding to serve six domestic and nine regional routes out of the Penang International Airport, 12 domestic and 13 regional routes out of Subang Airport as well seven domestic and 14 regional destinations from Senai International Airport, Johor Baru.

For operations out of Kota Kinabalu, Firefly will partner its newly formed sister airline, MASWings, to cover a network of six domestic and five regional destinations.

pynshi91

January 31st, 2008, 11:30 AM

airasia is flying from johor bahru to bangkok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and medan and surabaya soon!!!

way to go senai airport!!

pynshi91

January 31st, 2008, 11:31 AM

i didn't know cathay pacific(cargo) flies to senai airport.......

http://www.senaiairport.com/newsletters/2008-01/Senai_Abuzz-2008-01.pdf

rizalhakim

April 2nd, 2008, 10:41 AM

Senai airport launches travel search engine
Published: 2008/04/02

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), operator of the Sultan Ismail International Airport, has partnered a Singapore-based IT company, Bezurk Pte Ltd, to introduce a travel search engine that allows visitors to book their flights from the airport's website.

With just one click, the travel meta-search engine enables visitors to compare several flight price options from various participating airlines and travel sites, thus saving the visitors time to visit each individual website.

The airport's general manager, Kennedy Ayu, said in a statement that SATS also planned to roll out hotel booking tool and realtime flight information that will also be provided by Bezurk.

nazrey

April 24th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Senai Airport introduces flight booking tool
1 April 2008

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), operator of the Sultan Ismail International Airport, has partnered up with a Singapore based information technology company, Bezurk Pte Ltd in introducing a travel search engine that allows visitors to book their flights from the airports website.

With just one click, the travel meta-search engine enables visitors to compare several flight price options from various participating airlines and travel sites, thus saving the visitors time to visit each individual website.

“In addition to that, we also enable travelers to seek travel advice through our online query system and FAQs webpage.

“Travelers can be assured that our objective is to provide feedback within three working days,” said the airports general manager Kennedy Ayu in a statement here today.

He said SATS also planned to roll out several more exciting features on the website such as hotel booking tool and realtime flight information that will also be provided by Bezurk.

Kennedy said SATS aimed at transforming the Sultan Ismail International Airport into a world-class airport by providing world-class facilities and services.

“So far we have received many compliments from the visitors and they bear testimony that we are certainly on the right track,” he said.

Source : News Straits Times

rizalhakim

May 27th, 2008, 04:17 AM

SATS investing RM70m in Aero Mall
By ZAZALI MUSA

SENAI: Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) is investing RM70mil in the Aero Mall project, Malaysia’s first stand-alone and external airport mall.

Of the mall’s total space of 9,290.304 sq m (100,000 sq ft), 3716.121 sq m (40,000 sq ft) is retail space and the balance the concourse.

SATS general manager finance and retail development Chan Kwai Yew said the company wanted to position and market Aero Mall as the area’s new lifestyle hub.

“Shopping, dining and entertaining at airports is getting popular now as airports are no longer just for air travellers,” he told StarBiz recently.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held today.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/27/business/b_p9chan.jpg
Chan Kwai Yew showing an artist’s impression of Aero Mall

The project is scheduled to complete in 18 months.

Chan said the best example of such a concept was Terminal Three at Singapore’s Changi Airport which had successfully attracted non-air travellers and residents from nearby areas to shop and dine there.

He said Aero Mall’s target markets were the business community, employees in the nearby industrial estates and the population in the Senai-Kulai area.

Chan said the mall would be connected to the present airport terminal building and constructed on the existing open air parking area. A new basement parking area would also be built.

He said the new mall, an extension of the airport’s present retail segment, would offer air and non-air passengers more choices to shop and dine, adding that the airport received overwhelming response when it introduced mid-level lifestyle products.

Chan said between 4,000 and 5,000 air passengers currently used Senai airport, which provided an active market for the existing 25 retailers.

He said among the new mall’s outlets were Secret Recipe, Kyros Kebab, Chocz, SASA Hong Kong International, MPH Bookstore, KFC, Laksa Shack, Starbucks, Nationwide and FedEx.

Concurrently SATS would also be launching the Senai Free Zone (80.937ha) and Senai Aviation Park (40.468ha), he said, adding that both would create some 20,000 job opportunities.

The Free Zone will house a mixture of SME operations, warehouses and logistics for parts and components that could be exported via air cargo at Senai Airport.

The Aviation Park focuses on maintenance and repair operations for the maintenance of smaller aircraft engines and avionic products like radios and meters.

nazrey

June 8th, 2008, 12:26 PM

Senai International Airport Adopts IndigoVision IP CCTV

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Senai International Airport, one of Malaysia's fastest growing airport hubs has installed IndigoVision’s IP Video technology to provide site-wide CCTV surveillance. The Airport is located at the southern gateway of the Malaysian Peninsula in one of the country's strategic development zones, the newly launched Iskandar Development Region. The airport has both a passenger terminal and a separate logistics and cargo complex, with plans to handle 2 million tons of cargo a year and become a regional logistics airport for South East Asia.

A completely new surveillance system has been installed in the passenger terminal together with an upgrade to the existing analog CCTV system in the cargo complex. The airport has a good IT network infrastructure and wanted a CCTV system that would be easily expanded in the future, and IP Video was the obvious choice. The system was designed and installed by IndigoVision’s local partner ICSS Electronics Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Commenting on the project, Mr Kennedy Ayu, Airport General Manager said, “Following an extensive in-house technical and user evaluation of competing systems, the Airport chose IndigoVision’s IP Video technology. The video quality is better than the other systems which we had reviewed, and the flexibility, ease of use and functions of the ‘Control Center’ software impressed the evaluation team.”

‘Control Center’ is IndigoVision’s video and alarm management software and is at the heart of their complete end-to-end IP Video solution. The software allows operators to view live and recorded video from any camera at any point on the network. This flexibility was exploited at Senai International Airport with the positioning of several ‘Control Center’ workstations around the airport and was one of the factors for the airport choosing the IndigoVision solution. The ‘Control Center’ software coupled with IndigoVision Network Video Recorders (NVRs) provide Senai International Airport up to 30 days of video recording and a suite of tools for fast search and analysis of recorded footage.

Over 40 new cameras including 13 Pelco Spectra PTZ domes were added to the original analog system in the cargo complex. Each camera is connected to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter module which converts the analog camera feed to MPEG-4 DVD quality digital video for transmission over the network. The existing cargo CCTV system was interfaced to the IP Video system via IndigoVision 8000 10-way rack-mounted transmitters connected to the network. This allowed the original investment in the cameras and local control room equipment to be maintained and at the same time allowed full control and monitoring at the passenger terminal security control room. The resulting hybrid system demonstrates that IP Video can be an ideal solution for upgrading existing analog CCTV systems with the benefits of networked video.

IndigoVision’s advanced compression technology ensures high-quality video can be streamed over the network with minimal bandwidth requirements. The existing IT network could therefore accommodate the IP Video system alongside the existing IT infrastructure without increasing network capacity. In addition ICSS installed an IP-based access control system on the same network, demonstrating that IP networks are increasingly becoming the future-proof platform for security systems.

rizalhakim

June 16th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Aero Mall, hi-tech park to boost Senai airport
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

THE construction of the Aero Mall shopping complex and the Senai High Tech Park will help the Senai International Airport to become a logistics hub in five years.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said development projects conducted by Senai Aiport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) would increase the number of passengers and cargo at the airport and thus benefit Iskandar Malaysia as well.

“The airport will be the first in the country to have a shopping complex equipped with a commercial centre. It will include a hotel, bank, restaurant and entertainment facilities,” he said.

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Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman (right) being briefed by Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman on the Aero Mall project.

Abdul Ghani said Aero Mall would have its own airport concept.

“With this, the airport will not only function as a location for airplanes to arrive and depart but will also become a high-tech hub for passengers as well as cargo to the rest of the world,” he told pressmen after launching the Aero Mall at the airport in Johor Baru.

The construction of the RM70mil Aero Mall is expected to be completed by December 2009.

SATS is also investing RM300mil to upgrade the main facilities at the airport such as increasing the length of the runways, equipping the runways with a new system and signal lights, as well as constructing runways catering to big aircraft.

“The upgrade is expected to take two years and once it is ready, the airport will be able to cater to big aircraft, both passengers and cargo,” Abdul Ghani said.

Meanwhile, SATS chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said SATS would build the high-tech park on 800ha located beside the airport and economic zone.

“This will enable the park to become an interesting destination for high-tech sector investments. The park will be equipped with broadband and stable electrical supply without interruption,” he said.

rizalhakim

July 9th, 2008, 05:05 AM

huhu!!!! another good news.....

Kuwait's Al-Aqeelah thinking big in Malaysia
By Roziana Hamsawi Published: 2008/07/09

The Kuwaiti group, which will set up an offshore Islamic bank, is planning an aviation academy near Senai Airport and a Scandinavian-Mediterranean style condo project in the Klang Valley

KUWAIT'S Al-Aqeelah Group has big plans for Malaysia, which is now its Asian hub.

Apart from setting up an offshore Islamic bank, it is planning a US$100 million (RM326 million) aviation academy in Johor, the world's biggest, and a luxury property project in the Klang Valley.:banana::banana:

Group's chairman and managing director Hamed M. Khajah (above) told reporters at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday that the list will only get longer.

Hamed owns the Al-Aqeelah Group, which has projects worth some US$50 billion (RM163 billion) in the Middle East. Among others, it has a takaful company in Syria and is also building an airport in Iraq.

Bank Negara Malaysia has given the group an approval in-principle to set up an offshore Islamic bank here to be called Al-Aqeelah International Bank. The lender will start business in January next year.

Hamed said the bank will have an initial paid-up capital of US$100 million and will concentrate on three main activities, namely private equity and direct investment, corporate and structured financing, and asset management.

As for the aviation academy, which will be located near Senai Airport, the project has been approved by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, he said.

"The initial cost of this project is about US$100 million and we are still in discussion with various parties on some issues such as land acquisition, project partners et cetera," said Hamed.

Some firms based in countries like Australia and Japan have already expressed interest to outsource their training to the academy.

"We have a French technical partner for this academy which can accommodate training for 400 pilots initially," he said.

Al-Aqeelah also plans to build 10,000 luxury Scandinavian-Mediterranean style condominiums in the Klang Valley, a project copied from its current one in Alexandria, Egypt.:banana::banana:

The group has identified an unnamed technical partner from Malaysia for its car manufacturing project in Egypt.

"We have many projects in our hands right now and with our entry into Malaysia, we are also looking for good local partners that could work with us not only here but internationally as well," said Hamed.

For the past year, the group's main local consulting, technology and outsourcing partner is the iA Group. Its chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim, said the iA group has been advising the Al-Aqeelah group on its local investments.

rizalhakim

July 9th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Kuwait firm plans aviation academy

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait's Al-Aqeelah Leasing, Finance and Investment Co plans to establish an aviation academy in Malaysia with an initial investment of US$100mil (RM326.16mil).

Chairman and managing director Hamed M. Khajah said the company also planned to set up an executive aircraft conversion centre and a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

Three locations – Batu Berendam (Malacca), Senai International Airport (Johor) and Kuantan (Pahang) – are being considered for the academy.

“We are evaluating the locations in terms of infrastructure,” Hamed told a media conference.

“There is a shortage of 17,000 pilots worldwide annually. The academy will help meet that need in part. We are considering having strategic shareholders and investors for the academy, apart from it being a joint-venture project with Malaysians.

“Discussions are currently under way to finalise the joint-venture partner,” Hamed said.

Al-Aqeelah has a diversified portfolio of business projects all over the Middle East, covering aviation, industrial and real estate projects, fund management, Islamic finance and investment as well as oil and gas-related services.

Al-Aqeelah has also received approval from Bank Negara to establish an international Islamic bank with a US$100mil paid-up capital.

The bank will begin operations in January next year. It will have three main divisions: private equity and direct investment, corporate and structured finance, and work management. – Bernama

jansej

July 9th, 2008, 10:11 AM

so is confirm the academy will be in senai? gd news!

rizalhakim

July 15th, 2008, 07:38 AM

Senai initiative to make JB more attractive
BERNAMA
THE Senai Airport is growing in popularity as the Johor Government embarks on a eight-point strategy to bring in more tourists, especially from the Asean region, to the state.

http://www.nst.com.my/JohorBuzz/Tuesday/Stories/2291362/insidepix1?display=small
WELCOME: Hoo Seong Chang (left) welcoming Indonesian journalists and travel agents upon their arrival at the Senai Airport recently.
With AirAsia operating flights to and from Jakarta, Bangkok and Macau, the state government is hoping to ride on the healthy figures in it's quest to make the state capital a favourite destination, at least among Asean travellers.

Figures released by the Senai Airport Terminal Services, has shown that a total of 9,106 passengers flew on AirAsia flights to Bangkok in the first five months of the year, an average of 1,820 passengers a month since the four times a week flight was introduced in mid-February, translating into an average load of 75 per cent. And on the return flights, the airline carried a total of 9,188 for the same period.

The AirAsia Johor Baru-Jakarta flight route, which made it's debut early this year, saw the LCC ferrying a total of 11,599 passengers until June.

That makes it an average of 1,930 passengers per month on it's three times a week flight or an estimated 80 per cent load.

But 9,951 passengers were flown in by Air Asia on the incoming flights for the same period.

The Johor Baru-Macau flight, also operated by Air Asia and which was introduced in late August last year, saw a total of 22,364 passengers outbound for the first six months of the year while inbound totalled 21,494 passengers.

State Executive Councillor for Tourism Hoo Seong Chan sees the introduction of these low-cost flights from Senai Airport as a boon for Johoreans with the easy access to the airport and cheaper costs.

"But it also works to our advantage. Tourists can now fly into Johor Baru on a direct flight, which makes it easier and cheaper for them.

"So we have to take advantage of the situation and increase the number of arrivals to the state," he said. -- Bernama

rizalhakim

July 18th, 2008, 05:12 AM

New hub for inter-Asean travel

The Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai is on its way to becoming the hub for inter-Asean travel with more regional routes being opened by budget airline carrier AirAsia.

http://www.nst.com.my/JohorBuzz/Friday/Stories/2295280/insidepix1?display=small
Sultan Ismail international airport in Johor has seen an increase in passenger volume with the opening of new regional routes.

There is even an air of optimism here that Johor Baru will soon be a favourite destination among Asean travellers since AirAsia started operating flights to and from here to Bangkok, Jakarta and Surabaya recently.

More than 9,000 passengers flew by AirAsia to Bangkok in the first five months of this year, which is an average of some 1,800 passengers a month and similarly for the return flight..

The Johor Baru-Jakarta flight which made its debut early this year, saw the low- cost carrier ferrying some 11,500 passengers until June, with an average of 1,930 passengers per month.

More than 9,900 passengers were on in-coming flights.

The Johor Baru-Surabaya flight, launched in April, carried more than 6,000 passengers until last month.

Travels agents here agreed the figures were very encouraging.

State executive councillor for tourism Hoo Seong Chan said the low-cost flights were a boon, not only for the tourism industry but also to Johoreans who want to avoid the inconvenience of having to board flights at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport or Singapore.

"It is also good for Johor tourism as tourists can now fly into Johor Baru on a direct flight, which is more convenient and cheaper."

Hoo said in view of the increasing number of tourists, Johor Tourism plans to introduce an eight-point strategy, which focuses on the homestay programme; eco-tourism; health tourism; sports, food, shopping; golfing and beaches.

"Hotel operators and those who managed tourist attractions need to also come up with new ideas, like the introduction of dinner cultural shows."

He said the state goverment was also playing its part by organising tourism-related programmes such as the recent five-day trip for 37 Jakarta-based travel agents and writers, carried out with the co-operation of Tourism Malaysia and AirAsia.

nazrey

July 31st, 2008, 08:44 PM

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nazrey

July 31st, 2008, 08:51 PM

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nazrey

July 31st, 2008, 08:52 PM

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nazrey

August 4th, 2008, 01:45 PM

MC to acquire Senai Airport, water firm
Published: 2008/08/04 - 1925

MMC Corp plans to buy water company Aliran Ihsan Resources as well as Senai Airport Terminal Services in a deal worth RM2.2 billion, MMC says

MMC Corporation Bhd shares were suspended from trading upon the company’s request effective 9am today.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, it said the suspension was pending an announcement by the company.

MMC Corp’s shares were last quoted at RM2.73.

Meanwhile, Malaysian water company Aliran Ihsan Resources Bhd said its shares have been suspended pending an announcement by MMC Corp.

Aliran shares were last traded at 93 sen. - Agencies

nazrey

August 5th, 2008, 04:28 AM

MMC in RM2b deal
By Presenna Nambiar, Published: 2008/08/05
BusinessTimes

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Tuesday/Frontpage/mmcai.xml/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph9/hasni.jpg

The purchase of Aliran Ihsan Resources will make the group an integrated global water and power producer while the addition of Senai Airport will complete MMC's logistics portfolio

INFRASTRUCTURE group MMC Corp Bhd announced yesterday a RM2.2 billion deal that, in one stroke, will strengthen both its logistics and international utilities businesses.

It will buy Senai airport manager Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) via an all-share deal worth RM1.95 billion as well as make a general offer worth about RM240 million in cash and loan stocks to completely control Johor-based water treatment plant operator, Aliran Ihsan Resources Bhd (AIRB).

The deal is a related party transaction given that substantial shareholders of both SATS and AIRB are persons connected to MMC's major indirect shareholder, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah Syed Nor.

MMC will issue 696.4 million new shares at an issue price of RM2.80 per share to pay for SATS.

The diversified group said the RM1.95 billion price tag for SATS was in consideration of SATS' 1,087.2ha of freehold land, which is valued at RM2.2 billion by IPC Island Property Consultants Sdn Bhd.

On top of the share swap, MMC will also advance RM417.2 million to Enigma Harmoni Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of SATS, to repay advances to SATS given by Semarak Restu Sdn Bhd, a majority shareholder.

MMC will borrow to pay for AIRB shares and redeemable cumulative unsecured loan stocks.

MMC plans to maintain AIRB's listing status after the acquisition.

"These acquisitions are a strategic fit for MMC as they provide us with a competitive advantage in the utilities and infrastructure businesses," MMC's Malaysia chief executive officer Hasni Harun said.

He said AIRB will complement the group's global power generation business, particularly in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region where power project bidders are invariably required to provide water solution proposals in their bids.

"The acquisitions will enable us to be an integrated water and power producer in the global arena and allow us to compete more effectively in these fast-growing markets," Hasni added.

On its acquisition of SATS, Hasni said the addition will complete MMC's logistics portfolio covering air, sea and land transportation businesses.

The acquisition of SATS will also enable MMC to offer multimodal connectivity through southern Johor, an area that stands to benefit from the development of Iskandar Malaysia

"With a comprehensive air, sea and land transportation system, we are optimistic that the region will become more attractive to international investors," Hasni said.

MMC has interests in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port as well as JP Logistics Sdn Bhd, a container haulage company.

The move is in line with MMC's plan to develop an integrated regional cargo and logistics hub in Johor.

rizalhakim

August 5th, 2008, 05:46 AM

MMC To Acquire Senai Airport Terminal Services In RM2.2 Bln Deal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- MMC Corporation Bhd (MMC) will acquire the entire stake in Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) and make a voluntary general offer for Aliran Ihsan Resources Bhd (AIR) in a RM2.2 billion deal to accelerate the groups international expansion drive in the logistics and utilities businesses.

MMC will acquire SATS for RM1.95 billion in an all-share deal and AIR for up to RM240 million in cash, said MMC in a statement released Monday.

The group also said that it intended to maintain the listing status of AIR following the acquisition.

"These acquisitions are a strategic fit for MMC as they provide us with a competitive advantage in the utilities and infrastructure businesses," said MMC chief executive officer Hasni Harun.

Hasni said AIR will complement the groups global power generation business, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region, where power project bidders are invariably required to provide water solution proposals in their bids.

"The acquisition will enable us to be an integrated water and power producer in the global arena and allow us to compete more effectively in these fast-growing markets," he said.

On the rationale for acquiring SATS, Hasni said: "MMC already has interests in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port so acquiring SATS will be synergistic to our logistics business and enhance Malaysia's status as a regional cargo and logistics hub.

"The addition of SATS will complete MMC's logistics portfolio covering air, sea and land transportation businesses," he said.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

August 5th, 2008, 04:11 PM

MMC to take over Senai Airport, AIRB in RM2.2b deal
05-08-2008: by Jose Barrock
THEEDGEDAILY

KUALA LUMPUR: Conglomerate MMC Corp Bhd is proposing to acquire the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd and is making an offer to mop up the shares in Johor based-water treatment player Aliran Ihsan Resources Bhd (AIRB) for a total of RM2.2 billion.

Senai is priced at RM1.95 billion and is to be paid via the issuance of 696.4 billion shares in MMC at RM2.80 per share. MMC, before its suspension yesterday morning, was traded at RM2.73.

MMC’s proposed takeover of AIRB meanwhile is a cash deal at 90 sen each for the shares and redeemable convertible unsecured loan stocks (RCULS). Before its suspension yesterday morning, AIRB’s stock closed at 93 sen while the RCULs closed at RM1.

All three companies are controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary. MMC is his flagship company, in which he has about 52% equity. The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd.

Syed Mokhtar had taken over the Sultan Ismail Airport, the main asset under Senai Airport in October 2003 for RM80 million cash from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

However, this acquisition tagged at RM1.95 billion includes a 2,700-acre (1,092.6 hectares) freehold land which will be developed into a cargo hub, logistics and high-tech park among others. According to MMC’s press release, the land has a gross development value of about RM9.5 billion.

Meanwhile AIRB is also a company controlled by Syed Mokhtar. He is said to be in control of at least 46% of AIRB, via Kembangan Dinamik Sdn Bhd. Industry officials do not discount the possibility of him owning more shares.

Kembangan Dinamik has about 102.3 million shares out of AIRB’s share base of 222.2 million shares, which would mean that MMC would have to fork out about RM92 million for Kembangan Dinamik’s equity.

Other significant shareholders of AIRB are Lindungan Sinar Sdn Bhd with 10.2%, Aspirasi Sigma Sdn Bhd a company controlled by Arsad Mat Jali and Zuraini Jamallul Azi with 8% equity, and Effective Strategy Sdn Bhd, the vehicle of one Chan Toong Kit with 5.7% shareholding.

In a press release MMC said it plans to maintain AIRB’s listed status and is forking out RM240 million in cash in its proposed voluntary take over offer.

Considering the offer price is below the trading price of AIRB, it is unlikely that shareholders of AIRB, other than Syed Mokhtar will part with their shares. AIRB’s shares have also traded above the 90 sen mark for the larger part of the year.

Nevertheless, the total equity of AIRB would cost Syed Mokhtar RM200 million at 90 sen per share.

Meanwhile in 2004, AIRB had issued about 56.9 million RCULS expiring in 2011. At 90 sen per RCULs, this would amount to a payment of RM51.2 million.

rizalhakim

August 6th, 2008, 07:54 AM

Senai Airport deal bodes well for MMC in long term

The airport can enhance portfolio through synergy

ALTHOUGH MMC Corp Bhd's proposed acquisition of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.95bil is considered expensive, the loss-making airport may promise better long-term prospects for the group.

The takeover by MMC will involve the issuance of 696.43 million new shares at RM2.80 each.

KAF-Seagroatt & Campbell Securities Sdn Bhd was sceptical of the deal due to SATS' loss-making position and massive dilution of earnings per share (EPS) via the issuance of new shares.

“For the financial year ended June 30, 2008, SATS recorded RM25mil in net losses with net tangible asset (NTA) of RM295mil.

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary
“Hence, the RM1.95bil acquisition represents 6.6 times of the NTA. The new shares to be issued for the SATS acquisition represent 22.9% of MMC’s existing share capital.

“The overall EPS dilution will be greater than the share capital of MMC,” said the research house in its latest report.

While the short-term prospects of the investment may be bleak, in view of MMC's strong foothold in the port and logistics business in Johor, SATS can enhance the group's portfolio in terms of synergistic cooperation.

SATS manages, maintains, develops and provides airport and aviation-related services at Sultan Ismail Airport in Senai. It became the country's first independent airport operator when it landed a 50-year concession from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd in 2003.

MMC, meanwhile, also owns Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in southwest Johor and Johor Port in Pasir Gudang.

PTP focuses on container business mainly for transhipment operations while Johor Port is a multipurpose port, which mostly handles import and export goods.

Under Johor Port, MMC is also involved in the logistics business via JP Logistics Sdn Bhd.

With the addition of SATS, MMC will emerge as the biggest all-round transport player in Johor.

Furthermore, SATS will be poised to take advantage of the development in Iskandar Malaysia.

The reported owner of SATS, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, who also controls MMC Corp Bhd, might have foreseen that the expansion of SATS under a listed entity could be faster in line with the development of its surrounding industries.

SATS recently announced its plan to develop an 800ha high-tech park as a major logistics hub and township within five years.

The park, paired with a new shopping mall and a new interchange to the airport terminal, is expected to boost SATS' status as a centre for commerce and retail industry.

SATS, via wholly owned subsidiary Enigma Harmoni Sdn Bhd, owns 2,178 acres, designated for the development of Senai Airport City.

Once the infrastructure is ready, the Senai airport, which handled 1.6 millions of passengers last year, can be a cheaper alternative for Changi International Airport users.

MMC has proven to be successful in similar scenario previously, via PTP, which has attracted the biggest container line, Maersk to shift its operation to PTP from Port of Singapore.

rizalhakim

August 6th, 2008, 07:55 AM

MMC's plan to buy Senai Airport poorly received by investors

PETALING JAYA: MMC Corp Bhd's proposals to acquire Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.95bil and general offer for Aliran Ihsan Resources Bhd (AIRB) at 90 sen a share were poorly received in the market yesterday.

MMC fell sharply by 61 sen to RM2.12 a share, its lowest in 1½ years, erasing RM1.86bil of market value from the stock, a huge sum almost as much as the proposed acquisition cost for SATS. MMC's total market value was RM6.45bil at yesterday's price.

The fall in the share price occurred on a day when the market sentiment was weak, with the KL Composite Index declining by 1.7%, in line with several indices in regional markets. MMC was actively traded, with 18.5 million shares sold down.

An obvious facet of concern is that the proposals are related-party transactions since Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah Syed Nor (better known as Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary) is the majority shareholder of MMC and is stated in its announcement as “connected” to substantial shareholders of SATS.

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary
In addition, he is stated as “connected” to a substantial shareholder of AIRB.

Following these proposed acquisitions, Syed Mokhtar would “surface” officially as a substantial owner of SATS and AIRB through his ownership in MMC.

SATS operates the Senai Airport through a concession for 50 years beginning 2003 and, through wholly-owned subsidiary Enigma Harmoni Sdn Bhd, owns 1,100ha of land near the airport.

In a note, AmResearch observed that the proposed SATS acquisition valued the airport terminal at RM600mil and its land at RM1.35bil while their net tangible assets totalled just RM64.4mil.

As Kenanga Research put it in a report, the SATS acquisition could involve “very, very long-term value realisation,” adding that SATS incurred a net loss of RM24.8mil in its latest financial year.

In this bearish market, investors are focused on current-quarter earnings and do not hold any interest for the potential of Senai Airport in its discounted cash flow value over the next 45 years or of development of its 1,100ha of land.

Jittery investors in these times of volatile markets, however, would not be searching for such values.

In addition, investors were also concerned about MMC's already large borrowings which totalled almost RM19bil as at end-March. This is a cause for anxiety as one of its biggest divisions, the power generation business of Malakoff Bhd, faces a windfall tax.

Although SATS would be acquired through a share swap with MMC instead of a cash payment, the latter has undertaken to advance RM417mil to Enigma Harmoni, the land owner, to repay the outstanding advances made by Semarak Restu Sdn Bhd, one of the vendors of SATS.

AIRB is the concession holder of water supply projects in Johor. Its share price declined two sen to 91 sen yesterday.

nazrey

August 17th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Senai Airport expects to be back in the black by 2010
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2008/08/18
BusinessTimes

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which holds a 50-year concession to maintain, operate and develop the Senai International Airport in Johor, expects to return to the black by 2010 and be debt-free in 10 years.

It made a net loss of RM25 million in the year to June 30 2008. It also has outstanding loans of about RM300 million as at July 31 2008.

SATS general manager for finance, retail and commercial development Chan Kwai Yew said while the airport itself was profitable, its loss was due to interest payments on the loan.

The loan was taken to buy 1,120ha of plantation land adjacent to Senai Airport in 2006.

He said the loan will be paid over 10 years. This will come from the long-term lease of land at Senai Aviation Park and Free Zone, rental income from cargo agent warehouses at its Cargo Village, and the money it makes from operating the airport.

SATS will reduce its net loss to below RM20 million in 2009, Chan told Business Times in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

"But we are optimistic in turning around the company in two years, as we would have completed the current developments at Senai Airport and leased out land on a long-term basis to investors," he said.

SATS is developing 180ha of land at Senai Airport for some RM200 million. This includes extending and widening the runway, and adding taxiways by the end of this year.

It is investing RM45 million to build fencing, taxiways and other facilities at the 60.8ha free zone.

Qimonda, a German memory chip manufacturer, has leased 10ha of land for 25 years, Chan said.

"We are selective on the players coming in. We want manufacturers or cargo players that can produce products to export via freighters," Chan said.

It is also investing RM25 million to develop a 20ha aviation park for a three-year lease to flying and aviation club operators who want to build maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), fixed based operation, clubs and training schools there.

SATS' major investment is to develop the Aero Mall over 20ha for RM93 million. The mall will be an extension to the existing terminal where its space will be almost quadrupled to 108,000 sq ft by the end of 2009.

It also has 4ha of land fronting the airport. The plan is to build a budget hotel, low-rise apartments with offices and retail facilities from 2009. It is in talks with Johor investors to develop the properties, Chan said.

rizalhakim

August 18th, 2008, 04:46 AM

Acquisition prospects for airport operator
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2008/08/18

Senai Airport, which has been approached by several players who want to sell and take their airports private, will consider the matter next year, says a company official

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which is being acquired by businessman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary's MMC Corp Bhd for RM1.95 billion, may buy or manage airports in India and Indonesia.

"SATS has been approached by several players who want to sell and take their airports private. They are investors who are willing to invest, but want us to manage it for them due to our expertise," SATS general manager for finance, retail and commercial development, Chan Kwai Yew, said.

"We are exploring the potential, but are pushing that as a second priority and will consider it next year as we are busy with developments at the Senai International Airport in Johor," Chan told Business Times in an interview.

SATS landed a 50-year concession from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd in 2003 to maintain, operate and develop the Senai airport in Johor Baru as well as provide airport and aviation services, making it the country's first independent airport operator.

It is now developing 182ha surrounding the airport, including extending and widening the runway, adding taxiways and providing land for lease purposes.

Chan said there are plans to expand SATS, including developing 1,134ha of plantation land adjacent to the airport and listing it in three years.

He said the land, acquired in 2006 and now worth RM2.23 billion, will provide SATS with a long-term recurring income through lease activities.

"An initial public offering is under consideration and is something we will look at when the developments are in place," Chan said.

Commenting on MMC's proposal to acquire SATS, Chan said it will be business as usual for the latter.

MMC is acquiring 100 per cent of SATS from its shareholders via a share-swap exercise.

SATS is 70 per cent owned by Semarak Restu Sdn Bhd, whose shareholders include Datuk Ismail Yusoff and Zabidin Abu Samah, and 30 per cent by Suria Kemboja Sdn Bhd, controlled by Ahmad Zaid and Zainal Rashid.

"There will be no changes to SATS' business direction. We have disclosed the whole master plan to MMC and they are buying into that plan," Chan said, adding that the sale will be concluded by early next year.

With the addition of SATS, MMC will emerge as the biggest all-round transport player in Johor as it also owns the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in southwest Johor and Johor Port in Pasir Gudang.

On the rationalisation of PTP's and Johor Port's container-handling operations, Chan said the plan could benefit SATS in the longer run.

"MMC is looking at extending its logistic services and has seen the synergies that can be generated from the (rationalisation) exercise, and also by including SATS in their business development plan," he added.

nazrey

August 24th, 2008, 07:52 PM

Senai Airport invests RM145m to expand runway
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2008/08/25
BusinessTimes

SENAI Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), which has a 50-year concession to maintain, operate and develop the Senai International Airport in Johor, is investing RM145 million to lengthen and widen the runway to accommodate wide body aircraft.

It will also add taxiways and supporting electronics such as lighting and instrument landing system at the airport.

SATS general manager for finance, retail and commercial development, Chan Kwai Yew, said the works, financed through loans, will be completed by the end of this year.

"There are three major airlines namely Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia and Firefly currently making stop-overs at Senai Airport and they are increasing their flights, hence the need to improve the airport complex," he said in an interview.

SATS is forecasting passenger arrivals to grow from 1.6 million currently to three million by 2014.

It is expecting air cargo volume to hit 40,000 tonnes per year by the end of 2009 from 10,000 tonnes per year, with support from international freighters such as Qatar Airways and Airmark.

Belly cargo from passenger airlines like MAS and AirAsia will also contribute to the growth, Chan said.

He said the Aero Mall development at Senai Airport, which commenced this month, will support the expected passenger growth.

SATS is developing the lifestyle mall for RM93 million, which has been earmarked for completion by end-2009.

It will offer a total built-up area of 173,000 sq ft, comprising 50,000 sq ft of new retail lots and 30,000 sq ft of retail area at the open-air piazza.

The mall will more than double passenger capacity at the airport from two million currently to 4.5 million, Chan said.

SATS also plans to spend an additional RM17 million in 2014 to expand the airport airside and departure hall, and upgrade equipment, to meet its target in passenger arrivals.

nazrey

September 2nd, 2008, 04:21 PM

Blood drive with lucky draw for donors
9 Septemper 2008

JOHOR BARU: The Senai International Airport blood donation campaign held in conjunction with the 51st National Day celebration attracted 105 donors.

The airport’s general manager Kennedy Ayu said, last year, the airport organised a drawing and colouring contests which attracted children of all ages.

An airport staff member being screened during the Senai International Airport blood donation drive in Johor Baru recently.

“To mark this year’s Merdeka, the airport wanted to organise an activity where adults could participate, hence the blood donation exercise,” he said.

Before donating, the donors were screened by doctors from Sultanah Aminah Hospital for viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted diseases.

The donors also took part in a lucky draw with prizes in the form of air tickets to Macau, Bangkok and Jakarta contributed by Air Asia.

“Given the enthusiastic response, we will consider making the blood donation campaign an annual affair,” said Ayu.

Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Hospital Kulai provided a team of 26 personnel and facilities for the drive.

Source : The Star

nazrey

October 11th, 2008, 01:55 PM

New Destinations!
Effective Oct 26, 2008 :

Firefly flies twice daily Subang / Johor Bahru.
Air Asia flies 3 times weekly Bali / Johor Bahru.

nazrey

October 11th, 2008, 02:00 PM

Airport Announcements
Traffic Diversions To/From Airport Passenger Terminal Effective August 5, 2008 (Tuesday)

To All Passengers On Arrival
To exit from the airport, please note that the main exit (sliding door) at the ground floor next to Lavender Bakery.Cake.Bistro and the main entrance (sliding door) next to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Café Bistro will be closed effective Tuesday August 5, 2008.

For your convenience, please follow our direction signages to reach the temporary Drop-Off & Pick-Up Point (DOPUP) which is located next to the covered car-park. The exit/access to DOPUP is flanked by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Marrybrown.

To All Passengers Departing for Flights, Visitors and Those Picking Up Arriving Passengers

Please note that the access road to the main entrance to the Airline Check-In counters, main exit and Departure Hall will be closed effective Tuesday August 5, 2008.

Please use the temporary Drop-Off & Pick-Up Point (DOPUP), located next to the covered car-park and follow our direction signages accordingly.

If you need further assistance, kindly refer to our Customer Information Counter or any of our Customer Service Assistants on duty.

The above changes are to facilitate ongoing renovation works for the Aero Mall. We sincerely thank you for your kind understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

nazrey

October 11th, 2008, 02:01 PM

Airport Announcements
Renovation Works And Traffic Diversion At Passenger Terminal

As we bring exciting new developments for the benefit and convenience of our valued passengers and customers, drivers, please be advised that there will be some diversions to traffic flow to facilitate the ongoing renovation works, beginning 30 May 2008. Travellers are advised to allow additional time for their journey to the airport, including time for parking and checking in.

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/map-road-diversion.jpg

Tentatively beginning 30 May, drop-off and pick-up points are relocated to the long-term car park as access to the front façade of the terminal building including the short-term open car park which is located directly in front of the terminal will be closed off (see layout plan above).

In addition, a new car park next to the existing long-term covered car park will replace the short-term open car park. There will be a route diversion whereby drivers will be directed to the new drop-off and pick-up points.

Please note that the exit to the main road towards Johor Bahru is now located next to the new car park (as per indicated in the layout plan above).

The renovation work is expected to be completed within 19 months. We apologise for the inconveniences caused and we thank you for your patience while improvements are being made.

nazrey

October 12th, 2008, 09:11 AM

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/3/10/11/f_03m_605c0fa.jpg

nazrey

October 29th, 2008, 04:43 PM

http://www.senaiairport.com/images/about-future-pic01.jpg

Short-Term Developments

Extension of grooved runway to 3800 m from the current 3354 x 45 m
Planned parallel taxiway to increase runway capacity and associated high-speed turn-off taxiways.
Expanding the parking area to accommodate 800 cars.
Cargo agent complex with 40 units of cargo agent offices.
Perishable facilities·
Warehouse & logistics center.
Expansion of passenger airport.
More airlines.

nazrey

November 29th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Qimonda Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Lot 1, Senai Airport Free Trade Zone,
Senai Johor
by Jai's Photography

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/3063487474_048e8897f0_b.jpg

http://flickr.com/photos/jai8778/3063487474/

nazrey

December 5th, 2008, 08:35 PM

MMC To Pay RM250 Mil Less For Senai Airport
December 05, 2008 20:31 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The MMC Corporation Bhd will pay RM1.7 billion for the entire stake of the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd, RM250 million lesser than the original RM1.95 billion announced earlier.

The acquisition will be paid in cash instead of a share issue, the company said in a statement, Friday.

The new RM1.7 billion acquisition price comprises RM580 million for airport operations and RM1.1 billion for its 1,087.2 hectares of freehold land to be developed into a logistics city.

The company said the vendors had asked for a lower price for the new MMC shares to be issued as payment for the acquisition following the slide in MMC's share price from RM2.80 at the time the deal was announced in August to the current RM1.29.

They said the current share price was not reflective of MMC's inherent value which now trades at a multiple of about 0.7 times book value per share of RM1.94.

Under the original deal, MMC was to issue 696 million new shares priced at RM2.80 per share, which would have increased its share base by 22 percent.

"Issuing twice the number of shares for the acquisition of SATS would enlarge our share base significantly and reduce our earnings per share.

"It would also substantially dilute the shareholding of MMC's other shareholders. Having considered all factors, the board decided to negotiate for payment in cash in return for a discount of 12.8 percent in the acquisition price," MMC chief executive officer Malaysia Hasni Harun said.

He said the cash consideration would eliminate earnings dilution resulting from issuing a sizeable number of shares at the current depressed price.

The company would finance the acquisition via internally-generated funds including, inter alia, the disposal of assets.

It said negotiations relating to the disposal of assets have reached an advanced stage and an announcement to the stock exchange will be made once they are finalised.

The company would pay a deposit of 20 percent upon signing of the agreement and the balance 80 percent within three months of fulfillment of all conditions precedent.

The acquisition is a strategic move as the airport provides the group with a competitive advantage in the transport and logistics businesses, one of MMC's three core businesses.

With this acquisition, MMC would be the only company which owns a private airport in the country.

Besides that, the acquisition would enable MMC to expand its transport and logistics business into the area of air logistics, in addition to the company's existing port operations and land-based logistics business.

This will allow MMC to offer its customers an integrated logistics solution and multi-modal connectivity via its sea, land, air transportation and logistics business.

The Senai airport, which handled 1.6 million passengers in 2007, is currently served by three major airlines providing wide connectivity to regional airports within three to four hours' flight time.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 5th, 2008, 08:36 PM

MMC to pay RM250m less for Senai airport operator
Published: 2008/12/06

The new price includes RM580 million for airport operations and RM1.1 billion for Senai Airport Terminal Services' 1,099 ha of freehold land

MMC Corp Bhd (MMC) (2194) said it will pay 13 per cent less for an airport operator and it will now pay the amount totalling RM1.7 billion in cash.

The conglomerate had proposed to buy Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.95 billion in an all-share deal when the stock was trading around RM2.80 apiece.

However, it now has more than halved to RM1.29 currently. This means that if the deal was done at a lower share price, it would dilute MMC's shareholders (other than the main shareholders).

MMC's earnings per share would also fall due to the bigger number of shares.
"The current share price is not reflective of MMC's inherent value which now trades at a multiple of approximately only 0.7 times book value per share of RM1.94.

"The cash consideration will eliminate earnings dilution resulting from issuing a sizeable number of shares at the current depressed price," it said in a statement.

The new price includes RM580 million for airport operations and RM1.1 billion for SATS's 1,099 ha of freehold land slated for development as a logistics city.

Under the original deal, MMC was to issue 696 million new shares priced at RM2.80 per share, which would have increased its share base by 22 per cent.

It said issuing new MMC shares at RM1.40 per share for example, would require the company to issue twice the number of shares, enlarging MMC's share base by 45 per cent from 3.04 million shares currently to 4.43 million shares.

MMC will use its own funds including those raised from the sale of assets, among others, to pay for the acquisition.

It said talks on the disposal have reached an advanced stage.

The acquisition of SATS is a strategic fit for MMC as the airport provides the group with a competitive advantage in the transport and logistics businesses, one of MMC's three core businesses.

nazrey

December 7th, 2008, 03:32 PM

MMC beli SATS RM1.7 bilion
ARKIB : 06/12/2008

http://utusan.com.my/pix/2008/1206/Utusan_Malaysia/Korporat/ko_01.1.jpg

MMC bakal menjadi satu-satunya syarikat swasta mengendalikan lapangan
terbang di negara ini apabila ia mengambil alih Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR 5 Dis - MMC Corporation Bhd. (MMC) hari ini mengumumkan pengambilan alih sepenuhnya kepentingan dalam Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (SATS) pada harga tunai RM1.7 bilion, RM250 juta lebih rendah berbanding harga asal RM1.95 bilion.

MMC dalam kenyataannya di sini berkata, pengambilan alih itu akan dibayar secara tunai dan bukannya terbitan saham bagi membolehkannya menikmati diskaun.

Katanya, harga pembelian itu merangkumi operasi-operasi lapangan terbang yang bernilai RM580 juta dan tanah pegangan kekal SATS seluas 768.90 hektar yang dibangunkan sebagai Bandar Logistik bernilai RM1.1 bilion.

Berikutan penurunan harga saham MMC daripada RM2.80 ketika rundingan urus niaga itu diumumkan pada Ogos lalu kepada harga semasa RM1.29, penjualnya telah meminta harga yang lebih rendah untuk terbitan saham baru MMC sebagai bayaran kepada pengambilan alih itu.

Harga saham semasa tidak membayangkan nilai saham sebenar MMC dan pembayaran secara tunai akan menghapuskan pendapatan yang tercair akibat terbitan sejumlah besar saham pada harga saham semasa yang rendah.

Di bawah urus niaga asal, MMC akan menerbitkan 696 juta saham pada harga RM2.80 sesaham yang akan meningkatkan asas sahammya sebanyak 22 peratus tetapi pada harga semasa RM1.40 sesaham, jumlah terbitan saham, adalah dua kali ganda.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MMC, Hasni Harun berkata, terbitan saham sebanyak itu bagi pengambilan alih SATS akan memperluaskan asas saham dan mengurangkan pendapatan sesaham.

''Ia juga akan mengurangkan dengan ketara pegangan saham MMC yang lain.

''Setelah mengambil kira semua faktor, Lembaga Pengarah memutuskan untuk berunding supaya bayaran dibuat secara tunai bagi memperoleh potongan diskaun sebanyak 12.8 peratus daripada harga pembelian," kata MMC.

MMC akan membiayai pengambilan alih itu menerusi dana dalaman, termasuk inter alia dan pelupusan aset, katanya.

MMC berkata, rundingan berkaitan pelupusan aset telah mencapai perkembangan jauh ke hadapan dan pengumuman akan dibuat kepada Bursa Malaysia apabila ia dimuktamadkan.

Katanya, syarikat akan membayar deposit 20 peratus apabila memeterai perjanjian dan bakinya akan dilakukan dalam tempoh tiga bulan bagi memenuhi semua syarat terdahulu membabitkan tanah pegangan bebas seluas 836.08 hektar yang perlu mendapat status zon bebas.

Pengambilan alih SATS itu yang disifatkan sebagai strategik bagi MMC kerana lapangan terbang itu menyediakan kumpulan dengan kelebihan dalam perniagaan logistik dan pengangkutan, salah satu perniagaan teras MMC.

MMC bakal menjadi satu-satunya syarikat swasta yang mengendalikan lapangan terbang di negara ini menerusi pengambilan alih itu selain membolehkan konglomerat berkenaan mengembangkan perniagaan pengangkutan dan logistik dengan menawarkan perkhidmatan logistik udara, laut dan darat.

Tambah Hasni, pengambilan alih itu juga membolehkan MMC untuk menerokai potensi SATS untuk muncul sebagai syarikat kargo serantau dan pusat logistik di bawah status zon bebas yang sinergi kepada perniagaan dan prospek sektor pengangkutan dan logistik.

''Kedudukan lapangan terbang yang strategik ini mendatangkan manfaat hasil pertumbuhan Iskandar Malaysia," ujarnya.

nazrey

December 9th, 2008, 06:52 AM

MMC falls on revised Senai airport deal
Published: 2008/12/09

SHARES of MMC Corp Bhd were lower in morning trade today as investors digested news that the group will buy an airport operator at a 13 per cent discount and in cash instead of shares.

The stock lost 10 sen, or 8 per cent, to RM1.15 at mid-day, the worst decliner on the benchmark Composite Index.

The conglomerate now proposes to buy Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.7 billion cash.

It had wanted to pay RM1.95 billion in an all-share deal when MMC's stock was trading around RM2.80 apiece.

Analysts were also critical of the revised deal, questioning why the sellers, who are also ultimately owners of MMC, would not want to accept the original offer.

"...the RM1.7 billion cash price tag will be funded by potential asset sales which have yet to be disclosed. The eventual asset sale may be value destroying," said OSK Research in a report today.

rizalhakim

December 9th, 2008, 09:03 AM

MMC buys Senai airport for RM1.7b cash
By SHARIDAN M. ALI

MMC Corp Bhd is buying the entire stake in Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.7bil which is RM250mil below the earlier proposed price of RM1.95bil.

MMC said yesterday the RM1.7bil cash deal would be financed via internally generated funds and might include the disposal of some assets. The earlier proposed RM1.95bil would have involved a share issue.

“The new acquisition price of RM1.7bil comprises RM580mil for airport operations and RM1.1 bil for SATS’s 1087.2ha of freehold land slated for development as a logistics city (equivalent to RM9.45 per sq ft currently compared with RM11.39 per sq ft previously),” it said.

MMC said following the fall in MMC’s share price from RM2.80 when the proposed acquisition was announced in August to RM1.29 currently, the vendors requested a lower price for the new MMC shares to be issued as payment for the acquisition.

“The current share price is not reflective of MMC’s inherent value which now trades at a multiple of approximately 0.7 times book value per share of RM1.94. The cash consideration will eliminate earnings dilution resulting from issuing a sizeable number of shares at the current depressed price,” it said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/12/6/business/bw_07senaiairport.jpg
Senai Airport

MMC share price closed at RM1.25 yesterday, down 55.4% from RM2.80, when the deal was announced in August. As of at Sept 30, the company had deposit bank and cash balances at about RM4bil.

Under the original deal, MMC was to issue 696 million new shares priced at RM2.80 per share, which would have increased its share base by 22%.

If MMC was to issue new MMC shares at RM1.40 per share, which was more reflective of the current market price, it would have to issue twice the number of shares, enlarging MMC’s share base by 45%.

MMC chief executive officer Malaysia Hasni Harun said issuing twice the number of shares for the SATS acquisition would enlarge its share base significantly and reduce earnings per share.

“It would also substantially dilute the shareholding of MMC’s other shareholders.

“Having considered all factors, the board decided to negotiate for payment in cash,” he said in statement yesterday.

The company will deposit 20% of the total upon signing of the agreement and the balance 80% within three months of fulfillment of all conditions precedent.

The acquisition of SATS would be a strategic fit for MMC as the airport provides the group with a competitive advantage in the transport and logistics businesses, one of MMC’s three core businesses.

Hasni said this acquisition would be earnings accretive and contribute sustainable future earnings for the group.

The deal will make MMC the only company which owns a private airport in the country.

Also, MMC would be venturing in air logistics, in addition to its existing port operations and land-based logistics business.

MMC owns 70% of in Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and owns the entire stake of Johor Port.

“This acquisition will enable MMC to exploit SATS’s potential in becoming a regional cargo and logistics hub under a free zone flagship. The airport is also well-positioned to benefit from the growth potential of Iskandar Malaysia,” added Hasni.

...senai airport look good huh!!!...

rizalhakim

December 15th, 2008, 09:36 AM

MMC’s latest RM1.7bil deal irks investors
By JAGDEV SINGH SIDHU

But the company sees good future for Senai Airport

Once again, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary has proposed to flip one of his private assets to a listed flagship company which he potentially stands to gain handsomely from while raising the ire of investors. This time, it involves a deal to sell Senai Airport to MMC Corp Bhd for RM1.7bil cash.

Analysts have been no less vocal about the proposed sale of the airport and the surrounding 1,087.2ha of oil palm estate to MMC. Originally, when it was announced in August, it was proposed that MMC would issue 696 million shares at RM2.80 each to buy Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) for RM1.95bil.

Hasni Harun
The market didn’t conceal its protest and MMC shares, which were suspended for the announcement, plunged 22% to RM2.12 the following day when they resumed trading.

Over the week, when MMC revised the terms into a cash deal with a value of RM1.7bil, it almost seemed like deja vu but this time, the counter took a smaller beating as the stock was already at a multi-year low.

“People did not like the deal when it was first announced. Now the deal is changed to all-cash and it’s even worse,’’ says a fund manager.

To add insult to injury, a few days later, MMC announced that it was selling a minority stake in its prized asset Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) to fund the acquisition of Senai Airport and the surrounding land.

MMC says it was in an advanced stage of negotiations on the stake sale and the likely buyer is Khazanah Nasional Bhd or the Employees Provident Fund.

“The premium paid for SKS Power or even PTP can be justified. Cashflow and profits from Tanjung Bin could be seen because of the power purchase agreement with Tenaga Nasional and PTP’s potential was there when the deal was made,’’ says the fund manager, adding that: “Land is not the same as a power project.’’

Essentially, the hardest part to swallow in the Senai Airport deal is that in buying a loss-making business, MMC needs to sell a piece of its profitable business.

For the year ended June 30, SATS posted an unaudited loss of RM24.8mil on revenue of RM28.8mil. In contrast, according to a report, PTP posted a pre-tax profit of RM148mil for its 2007 financial year.

MMC defends the deal

While investors, analysts and fund managers have poured scorn on the deal, MMC believes it’s a commercially justifiable deal.

“MMC’s acquisition of SATS is a strategic fit as the airport provides us with a competitive advantage in our transport and logistics businesses, as one of MMC’s core pillars,” says MMC CEO, Malaysia, Hasni Harun in an e-mail reply.

Breaking down the acquisition, Hasni says SATS will complement PTP and Johor Port, which have been operating since 2000 and 1976 respectively, and enables MMC to expand its transport and logistics businesses into the area of air logistics, in addition to the company’s existing port operations and land-based logistics activities.

He also envisages the airport playing a major role in the transport and logistics sector within Iskandar Malaysia as about one million TEUs of Malaysian cargo go through Singapore annually.

Hasni says the acquisition cost of SATS was also reasonable as the airport was acquired in the early stage of its growth cycle. The valuation of RM387 per passenger, based on the flow of 1.5 million passengers, is much lower than the historical airport transactions average of RM680 per passenger.

SATS’ performance, he adds, was comparable to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd on a revenue per passenger and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) basis (RM19.76 versus RM25.91 and RM5.89 versus RM6.15).

While there has been doubts over the high price of the freehold land around SATS which was acquired at RM9.45 a sq ft, Hasni points out that independent research has put that valuation to be cheaper than big tracks of land in other major business/development areas in Johor such as Nusajaya, PTP, Tanjung Langsat and Pasir Gudang. The long-term lease rates at Nusajaya was RM30 to RM35 per sq ft and at Pasir Gudang, it was between RM16 and RM18 per sq ft.

“The completion of the RM93mil Aero Mall by IJM at the end of 2009 will increase retail space four-fold to 8,500 sq m, providing potential for higher non-aeronautical revenue,’’ he says.

Aiding the development of SATS will be the potential growth of non-hub services arising from market liberalisation, the rise in traffic from the low-cost carriers, and the increase in point-to-point services.

“The airport’s capacity of four million passengers per annum against traffic of 1.5 million leaves ample room for growth without additional capital expenditure,’’ he says.

The completion of the runway extension to 3.8km by the first quarter of 2009 will allow fully-loaded long-haul aircraft and the largest planes, such as the Airbus A380, to land at Senai.

Hasni says ebitda margin has improved to 30% in 2008 from -8% in 2006 and is poised to increase above 50% with full impact of airport upgrading, cargo revenue and Logistics City.

Logistics City is an ambitious plan by MMC to convert the land around the airport into high-tech, cargo and logistics parks and a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex that would also have commercial and residential buildings. The gross development value of Logistics City is forecast at RM9.5bil.

Infrastructure costs could be offset against future land sales.

MMC says the Government has allocated funds to develop SATS’ cargo business and has committed to give incentives to MMC, like those currently enjoyed by several sectors in Iskandar Malaysia’s Node 1.

With such plans in store, Hasni says SATS has the potential to become a cargo hub for Iskandar Malaysia within 5 years.

MMC also defended its track record from previous related party transactions, saying it has created shareholder value over time.

Hasni says the value creation from acquisition of PTP and Johor Port (including the Tajung Bin land) is RM4.8bil, or RM1.58 per share, against investment cost of RM3.5bil.

“MMC has enhanced PTP and Johor Port’s net profit by a compounded annual growth rate of 15% and 16% respectively since the acquisition,’’ he says.

rizalhakim

December 15th, 2008, 09:37 AM

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/12/13/business/b_p17senai.jpg
An artist’s impression Senai Airport’s Aero Mall, which is scheduled to be completed at end-2009

nazrey

December 20th, 2008, 02:14 PM

This company is subsidiary of MAS (Malaysia Airline). SPS provide transport service between JB downtown and Senai Airport.
by bkyh9098

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2637827247_e43c050be7_o.jpg

rizalhakim

December 30th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Senai airport deal negative for MMC: Affin
Published: 2008/12/30

MMC Corp Bhd’s plan to acquire the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) may not augur well for the company due to the massive cash outlay that will increase its gearing ratio.

The group recently revised the acquisition price for SATS downward by 13 per cent to RM1.7 billion from RM1.95 billion. But instead of a share swap, it would likely pay for the related-party transaction via debt financing.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2009.

“The recent change in the SATS deal is negative, we opine,” said Affin Investment Bank in its research report released today.

In a reply to a Bursa Malaysia query, MMC defended its move to raise the debt rather than undertake a share swap, as it eliminates earnings dilution.

“We, however, fail to appreciate the rationale and question the ability to raise funds under the current cash-trap environment. Moreover, the current higher expected cost of debt will drag down prospective earnings as SATS is still loss making,” said Affin Investment.

It said a turnaround story in a weak demand-side environment is hard to conjure.

“We believe the group would have been better off (and also rewarded by minority investors) if it had walked away from the deal, considering the massive cash outlay of RM1.7 billion and also the nature of the transaction,” it highlighted.

The additional RM1.7 billion will raise net gearing to 2.8 times from 2.5 times previously, it said.

MMC has confirmed wanting to sell a minority stake in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).

Also, the group has confirmed that it is in an advanced negotiation stage to sell the minority stake in the PTP.

According to media reports, the minority stake may come up to 20 per cent and is likely to be offered to a large local fund, such as Khazanah, PNB or the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

“No price was mentioned. This is again, not positive as the group is effectively seen to 'swap' the profitable PTP operation for the loss-making SATS, providing discomfort in the absence of firm earnings visibility,” Affin Investment said. — Bernama

rizalhakim

January 21st, 2009, 05:37 AM

MMC International pelawa korporat China labur dalam SATS

Daripada YANG CHIN MEE
pengarang@utusan.com.my

BEIJING 20 Jan. - MMC International Holdings Bhd. (MMC International) bercadang untuk menawarkan 30 peratus kepentingan dalam Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn. Bhd. (SATS) kepada syarikat dari China sekiranya mereka berminat untuk melabur dalam projek berkenaan.

Pemiliknya, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary berkata, melalui tawaran tersebut, syarikat yang sedang mencari pelabur berpotensi dari negara itu bercadang untuk membangunkan lapangan terbang berkenaan menjadi hab penerbangan atau zon bebas cukai.

''Sehubungan itu, China boleh menjadikannya sebagai pusat pengeksportan produk mereka ke negara ASEAN yang lain," katanya selepas mengadakan perjumpaan dengan pemimpin dan korporat China ketika mengikuti rombongan lawatan kerja bersama MCA ke sini.

Turut hadir pada majlis tersebut ialah Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

MMC International adalah anak syarikat milik penuh MMC Corp. Bhd. (MMC Corp.)

Menurutnya, MMC International mengalu-alukan kerjasama dari negara China untuk membangunkan projek pembangunan perluasan Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), SATS dan juga kerjasama antara dua negara dalam usaha memperluaskan perniagaan makanan halal di kedua-dua negara.

Tambah beliau, berdasarkan kerjasama tersebut, China boleh mendapatkan sijil halal dari kerajaan Malaysia bagi mengembangkan industri pemakanan halal mereka di luar negara.

''Pihaknya (China) juga boleh menjadikan Malaysia sebagai hab untuk mengeksport makanan halal ke Timur Tengah atau Arab Saudi, memandangkan ia merupakan satu pasaran yang amat berpotensi," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Tee Keat berkata, MMC kini sedang dalam proses memperluaskan PTP dengan menambah bilangan dermaga kepada 14 buah.

''Ia dijangka akan siap dibina pada 2012 dan ketika itu, ia (PTP) akan mampu menampung sehingga 12 juta TEU (bersamaan unit dua puluh kaki).

rizalhakim

March 5th, 2009, 02:46 AM

MMC agrees in principle
By Adeline Paul RajPublished: 2009/03/05

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/mmsen-2/pix_bottom

MMC Corp Bhd (2194) has agreed in principle to get a second opinion on the value of its proposed acquisition of Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), says Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG).

"MMC has agreed in principle, subject to their board's approval, to obtain a second valuation by a reputable independent valuer to give comfort to the minority shareholders," MSWG chief executive officer Rita Benoy Bushon said after meeting with MMC's management yesterday.

She said the board's approval was needed as it would be a costly exercise for MMC to appoint another valuer.

If approved, the new valuation would take into consideration the current market situation.

MMC's plan to buy the loss-making SATS for RM1.7 billion is controversial as it is a related-party transaction.
Institutional and minority shareholders are worried as to whether MMC, a conglomerate owned by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, is paying a fair price for SATS, which is also owned by Syed Mokhtar.

The first valuation, by IPC Island Property Consultants Sdn Bhd, tagged SATS at RM2.23 billion, but minorities argued that the sum did not reflect the current market situation and have been insisting on another independent valuation.

MMC, meanwhile, said yesterday that it would address all concerns over the SATS deal in a circular to shareholders sometime this month.

It is targeting to hold an extraordinary general meeting, at which shareholders can vote on the deal, by the end of the month.

"All their concerns will be addressed in the circular, which has been submitted to Bursa Malaysia for approval," senior general manager of corporate services Azlan Shahrim told Business Times yesterday.

The circular will provide sufficient information for shareholders to make an informed decision and determine whether the deal is earnings-accretive to MMC, Azlan said.

MMC's management had an hour-long meeting with MSWG yesterday afternoon to discuss the SATS deal.

MMC took note of MSWG's views, including concern, over the valuation process, Azlan added.

According to Bushon, MMC had said that borrowings for the deal would be minimal and that the credit line was available.

Minorities had been concerned that MMC's cash funds of RM3.8 billion would be reduced after the proposed acquisition. It already has large long-term borrowings of almost RM20 billion.