Malaysia: Airports and Aviation thread

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Malaysia

Population ( 2008 Est.) : 25,274,133

source : Internet Usage in Asia


Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB)
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is in the business of managing and operating Malaysia’s airports, as well as providing airport-related services. The airports under its ambit include five major international airports (KLIA, Pulau Pinang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu), 15 domestic airports and 18 short take-off and landing ports. MAHB’s role in airport operations includes the development, management and maintenance of existing terminal buildings, runways, roads and car parks. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates duty-free and non-duty-free outlets; the provision of food and beverage-related services at the airport, and palm oil plantations. The Company operates in seven segments: Duty Free and Non Dutiable Goods, Airport Services, Agriculture and Horticulture, Hotel, Events Management, Project and Repair Maintenance, and Auction.

Airports managed
- International

KL International Airport (KLIA), Federal Territory
Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah
Kuching International Airport, Sarawak
Langkawi International Airport, Kedah
Penang International Airport, Penang
Senai International Airport, Johor (operated by Senai Airport Terminal Services)

- Domestic

Batu Berendam Airport, Malacca
Bintulu Airport, Sarawak
Labuan Airport, Federal Territory
Lahad Datu Airport, Sabah
Limbang Airport, Sarawak
Miri Airport, Sarawak
Sandakan Airport, Sabah
Short Take-Off and Landing Airports (STOL), Sabah, Sarawak
Sibu Airport, Sarawak
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang
Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, Kedah (Alor Star)
Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport, Pahang (Kuantan)
Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, Perak (Ipoh)
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kelantan (Kota Bahru)
Sultan Mahmud Airport, Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu)
Tawau Airport, Sabah

Note : State's Capital City Airport

- Airports Overseas
Other than Malaysia, the company (MAHB) also manages 5 international airports outside Malaysia. They are:-

Astana International Airport, Kazakhstan
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Turkey

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Malaysia Airports wins Company of the Year Award
Airline Industry



(Forimmediaterelease.net) Malaysia Airports' contribution in the transportation industry was acknowledged when it received the Company of the Year Award from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Malaysia (CILT) on November 3, 2007. Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports received the award on behalf of the company at the CILT Awards Nite held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad said: “We are indeed honoured to receive this award from a world recognised institution which has acknowledged Malaysia Airports’ leadership in the development of the transport industry in Malaysia. This award will certainly spur us to work even harder to support Malaysia's drive towards a developed country status.”

This Award is based on the criteria of contribution to innovative developments in the transport and logistic services industry, measurable track-record of performance in the industry, fulfil specific national objectives and meet specific predetermined financial performance as well as to display the character of a well-run organisation with a sense of commitment to good management practise.

CILT is an international professional body for all sectors of the transport industry. It was founded in the United Kingdom in 1919 and was granted a Royal Charter in 1926. It was established to promote the knowledge of the science and art of transport and provide a source of authoritative views for communication to Government, industry and the community.

About Malaysia Airports

Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia: 5 international, 16 domestic and 18 Short Take-Off and Landing Ports (STOL Ports). On November 30, 1999, Malaysia Airports became the first airport company to be listed in Asia. KL International Airport (KLIA), its flagship airport was twice voted as the Best Airport (15-25 million passengers per annum) in the 2005 AETRA awards and 2006 ACI-ASQ awards while the newly opened Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT-KLIA) was named CAPA Low Cost Airport of the Year at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence 2006. Malaysia Airports has also been entrusted to host the 2008 World Route Development Forum (ROUTES), the first airport operator in Asia to be given the honor of hosting this world-class airport-airlines event.

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Malaysia Airports sees Turkey terminal ready by 2010
Published: 2008/05/05 Businesstimes

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd, which operates and manages local and international airports, expects the new terminal building at Turkey's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to be completed by 2010.

The terminal is being developed by a consortium comprising Malaysia Airports, GMR Infrastructure Ltd and Turkish firm Limak Group.

When completed, the airport will be able to cater for up to 15 million passengers a year.

Malaysia Airports took a minimum equity stake of 20 per cent in the joint venture.

The total concession fee is €1.93 billion (about RM9 billion) and is structured over a 20-year period, with no concession fees payable in the first three years.

Developing the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and placing it among the leading airports in the world will contribute tremendously to travel and tourism in Turkey.

"The new terminal will open a new chapter for Malaysia Airports in its overseas endeavour and will further reinforce our status as one of the most sought-after service providers in the field of airport operations," chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman said in a statement that was released in Kuala Lumpur.

Aris, along with Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat and Malaysia Airports managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad, attended the groundbreaking ceremony last Saturday.

The event was attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Malaysia Airports' involvement in the airport officially began on March 19 this year when the implementation agreement for the realisation of the terminal building and its complementaries through a build-operate-transfer Model was signed between the Turkish government and the consortium.

Malaysia Airports' role is to provide expertise in operation and management of the airport.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is the second in Istanbul to have two terminals, covering an area of 1,337ha.

When the new terminal is completed, the existing international terminal will be converted to domestic, subsequent to the construction of a new one.

Malaysia Airports' involvement overseas includes the new Hyderabad International Airport and the Delhi Airport in India as well as the Astana Airport in Kazakhstan.

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Brokers' View:
Hyderabad airport boost for MAHB
Published: 2008/03/11 BusjinessTimes

Malaysia Airports, which holds an 11 per cent stake in the new airport, has already earned revenue by providing technical advisory services and training

OSK Research Sdn Bhd said the launch of the new Hyderabad International Airport in India on Friday will further cement Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's (MAHB) growing reputation as an international airport operator of choice.

MAHB holds an 11 per cent stake in the new airport, while the GMR group owns 63 per cent and the Andhra Pradesh government and the Airport Authority of India has 13 per cent each.

"Prior to the opening, MAHB has already earned revenue from the airport by providing technical advisory services and training the personnel for the airport both in India as well as in Malaysia.

"MAHB will continue performing these roles and will also earn investment income from its small stake although this will likely be insignificant upfront," OSK Research senior vice-president Chris Eng wrote in a report yesterday.

Aside from Hyderabad, MAHB also owns a 10 per cent stake in the Delhi International Airport, manages the Astana International Airport in Kazakhstan and has a 20 per cent stake in the building and operation of a new airport terminal at Sabiha Gokcen airport in Turkey.

The research firm is maintaining its forecasts and fair value for MAHB at RM3.72.

"We continue to view MAHB as a defensive stock and even if its financial restructuring were to be possibly delayed to 2009 due to the recent election results, it would only pare down our fair value slightly to RM3.70," said Eng.

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Malaysia Airports: Traffic soars 8pc in Jan-Jun
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2008/08/05 BusinessTimes

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) saw 23.1 million passengers passing through the 39 airports it operates in the country, during the first six months of 2008.

This was an increase of 8.1 per cent from 21.4 million passengers for the same period last year. The growth is also significantly higher than first half 2006-2007's percentage growth of 2.6 per cent.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) director-general Giovanni Bisignani had said that passenger traffic growth worldwide for full year 2008 would at best be 3.9 per cent, as consumers come to terms with higher fares and an uncertain economic outlook.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the bulk of passengers went through the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, with 13.4 million passengers as opposed to 12.5 million for first half 2007.

The increase was mainly contributed by international travellers, which rose by 8.4 per cent to 10.31 million passengers from 9.51 million passengers a year ago.

The number of domestic passengers also rose by 7.9 per cent to 12.7 million in the first six months of 2008.

MAHB warned that a decline in passenger traffic in the fourth quarter of this year is expected, as higher plane ticket fares is likely to curb spending on air travel.

Meanwhile, the 39 airports saw a 5.3 per cent growth in air cargo volume from January to June 2008.

Some 488.8 million kg of cargo were carried by air, against 464.1 million kg a year ago. Aircraft movements also rose by 11.1 per cent to 244,245 for the period.

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MAHB expects up to 5.5% passenger growth this year
by Yantoultra Ngui Yichen, 10 Sep 2008 11:54 AM THEEDGEDAILY

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is confident of registering an overall passenger traffic growth of 5% to 5.5% this year despite the slowing global economy that has led to declining travel demand, said its managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid.

This year’s projected traffic growth is lower than that achieved last year, which came in at about 6.4%, representing 45.18 million passenger movements.

“We have seen good growth for the first seven months of the year. We expect the last five months to still have growth although not as high as in the first seven months and it should average to about 5% to 5.5%,” he said.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing on Routes KL 2008 Forum here yesterday, Bashir added that he was hopeful that more airlines would start operating routes to Kuala Lumpur, especially with the easing of high crude oil prices recently.

“Jetstar, which is a subsidiary airline of Qantas, stopped its flights to KL not because it was not viable. It was because Qantas had a shift of network resulting in Jetstar operating to Bali. Once the airline has more aircraft, we are confident that it will resume its operations here,” he said.

Bashir added that as fuel prices had declined, he hoped some airlines would revise their plans to reduce frequencies.

According to an OSK Research report, for the first half of this year, MAHB posted 7.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) domestic traffic growth while international traffic rose 8.4% y-o-y despite high fuel surcharges and tension between state and federal tourism agencies crimping domestic air traffic growth.

The research house expects MAHB’s full-year domestic traffic growth to increase 5%-5.5% even though it has pared down international growth forecast to 8.5% from 9%, taking into account the capacity cuts among international airlines.

MAHB expects 2,500 delegates, including airport operators and airlines all over the world, to participate in this year’s World Routes Forum — Routes KL 2008. MAHB won a bid over its counterparts in Singapore, Thailand and China to hold the event here for the first time in Asia.

Bashir said MAHB hoped to attract more airlines to fly to Kuala Lumpur but might not achieve the four to five airlines that it previously managed to entice annually following the Routes forum.

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MAHB plans better perks for airlines
By Hamisah Hamid Published: 2008/09/11 BusinessTimes



Malaysia Airports will enhance the existing perks of free landing and parking charges, as well as marketing support, but have yet to announce them, says its chief

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) plans to announce better incentives for airlines, managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad says.

He said the existing incentive packages include free landing and parking charges, as well as marketing support.

"We will enhance that programme, but we have yet to announce it," he said during a media briefing on the 14th World Route Development Forum (Routes KL 2008) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday's night.

Bashir also did not say if MAHB will unveil the new incentives during Routes KL next month. Routes is the aviation industry's top annual gathering for airport operators and carriers.

MAHB will be meeting representatives from 230 airlines during Routes KL, which will be held between 12 and 14 October.

A total of 379 airlines and 549 airports have confirmed participation at this year's Routes.

Routes chairman Mike Howarth said airlines are exploring ways on how airports can help them maintain destinations amid costlier fuel.

He said the previous Routes events focused on route planning and new air services opportunities, but this year's event is expected to centre on the role of airports in route development and maintenance process.

However, Howarth said there will also be airlines coming to Routes KL looking to pick up recently dropped or about-to-be-dropped cities. "Some airports will be looking for replacement airlines, possibly offering financial incentives," he said in a statement.

During the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak, MAHB gave a 50 per cent discount on landing fees to airlines at the KL International Airport for a year.

MAHB, which initially expected up to five new airlines to operate from Malaysia this year, is now contented with just three.

"We may not achieve the targeted four to five airlines, due mainly to the fuel costs," Bashir said.

However, he is optimistic that there will be new airlines next year. Talks between airports and carriers could take up to five years, he added.

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World's Best Airport
(under the 15-25 million passengers per annum category)

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KLIA Wins World's Best Airport Title for Third Consecutive Year
Wednesday, 2 April 2008, 00:00 CDT
By Kamarul Yunus



First Satellite Terminal

SHANGHAI: THE KL International Airport has won the coveted World's Best Airport title (under the 15-25 million passengers per annum category) in the Airport Council International's (ACI) Airport Services Quality Awards 2007, for the third consecutive year.

"It is no mean feat. We have to work hard for it as we have to face strong competitors, especially in this part of the world. We could not have achieved it if not for the support of all agencies operating in the airport," Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad said.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists covering the two-day ACI customer services and facilitation conference and Trinity Business forum here yesterday, Bashir said this would be KLIA's last year to compete in the 15-25 million passenger per annum category.


With its expansion plans, the airport will move into the bigger 25-40 million category this year.

"It will be harder as we may compete with the best airports in the world. At the moment, we have to try to benchmark ourselves to keep on par with Incheon Airport of South Korea. Incheon is the current number one airport in this category. Other contenders would probably be Hong Kong and Singapore," he said.

KLIA also improved its ranking for Best Airport Worldwide and Best Airport Asia Pacific by coming in second.

Singapore's Changi Airport was third. The win coincides with Malaysia Airports' 10th anniversary this year.

"We owe this remarkable feat to the collective efforts and commitment of all government agencies, business partners and associates at KLIA for constantly providing unrivalled passenger connectivity, comfort and convenience to our customers," he added.

Ninety airports worldwide participated in the survey for 2007, which was conducted by benchmarking airports' performance on service quality, facilities and passenger feedback.

Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia, out of which five are international and 16 domestic airports.

The national airport operator also manages and operates 16 domestic and 18 short take-off and landing ports. It also has operations in Kazakhstan, India and Turkey.

(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: New Straits Times

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Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Develop by : WCT Land Berhad

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) (IATA: BKI, ICAO: WBKK) is located about 8 km from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport with around 4 million passengers using this airport annually for domestic and international flights. It is also the main gateway into the state of Sabah. In 2006, about 2 million unique tourists visited Sabah, and it is estimated that this number will exceed 2.5 million by the end of 2007.

by anoie

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Sultan Ismail Petra airport
Kota Bharu, Kelantan





Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (IATA: KBR, ICAO: WMKC) is an airport that serves Kota Bharu, a city in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Opened in September 2002, the new 12,000 m² airport terminal with three aircraft stands, three aerobridges is able to handle 1.4 million passengers. The new terminal is equipped with facilities and services to cater to the increasing inflow of tourists to Kelantan. In 2005, the airport handled 635,397 passengers, with 8,765 aircraft movements.

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Originally Posted by nazrey

Sultan Ismail Petra airport
Kota Bharu, Kelantan





Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (IATA: KBR, ICAO: WMKC) is an airport that serves Kota Bharu, a city in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Opened in September 2002, the new 12,000 m² airport terminal with three aircraft stands, three aerobridges is able to handle 1.4 million passengers. The new terminal is equipped with facilities and services to cater to the increasing inflow of tourists to Kelantan. In 2005, the airport handled 635,397 passengers, with 8,765 aircraft movements.

RM50mil to extend airport runway
Saturday June 13, 2009

KOTA BARU: A RM50mil fund has been allocated to extend the Sultan Ismail Petra airport runway at Pengkalan Chepa to accommodate bigger and more aircraft, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

He said ministry studies showed that the airport was the busiest in the east coast and recorded the highest number of passengers.

The upgrading, he said, was needed to accommodate future expansion of flights to Kota Baru and direct flights from Singapore.

Thirteen towns, except for Kota Baru, have direct flights to Singapore, Ong said, adding that the Government would not neglect Kelantan despite it being under the control of the Opposition.

The MCA president said this in his speech to Kelantan MCA leaders on Thursday night in conjunction with the party’s 60th anniversary.

Ong said since Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu had direct flights to Singapore, it was only fair to upgrade the airport there.

He, however, did not say when the project would start, adding that plans were afoot to have flights from Thailand and other neighbouring countries from the airport.

Such plans, he said, would help increase tourism activities in Kelantan and enable the people secure jobs to enhance their standard of living.

Ong also advised MCA members in the state to carry on the struggle to help the Chinese community despite living in an opposition state.

He said PAS would not rule Kelantan forever and that members must keep the party’s presence alive.

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KIA runway extension marks new era for city
By Lee Ya Yun

KUCHING: The city is now open to more opportunities following the completion of Borneo’s longest airport runway here.

Global Upline Sdn Bhd advisor Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing yesterday announced the completion of the runway extension at Kuching International Airport (KIA) and said it marked a new era for the city.

“Kuching has a very bright tourism future now. The completion marks Kuching’s international standard as a tourist destination because any flight from any country can land at KIA,” he said.

He pointed out that the extension which took four years to build was something that Sarawakians should be proud of.

“The 3,800-metre-long runway is the longest in Borneo. It is even longer than Brunei’s. The runway allows the landing of Airbus 380,” he said.

He added that the company is constructing the extension of the runway at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

The length of the runway before the extension was 2,400 metres. The total cost of the construction including terminal building and runway is RM800 million.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will officiate at the opening of the runway extension on June 17, said Ting in a press conference held at Four Points by Sheraton Kuching here.

“The PM will tour the runway on June 17. We want to let him see how grand the runway extension is,” he said.

He explained that as the area used to be swampy, the construction was even more complicated.

“We need to ensure that the runway won’t sink and is safe to use,” he said.

He added that the runway was already tested and fixed for several aircraft to land.

Najib is expected to arrive at the KIA at 4pm next Wednesday to declare the runway open.

He will then proceed to Four Points for the grand opening of the hotel.

On another matter, Ting advised road users to be patient when the construction of the flyover at the Jalan Tun Jugah - Jalan Song junction begins.

“Motorists are advised to avoid using the Jalan Tun Jugah - Jalan Song especially during the peak hours. There are many alternative ways,” he said.

He said when the construction begins, trees along the road would be cut.

The flyover was scheduled to be completed in six months, he pointed out.

Also present at the press conference were Global Upline assistant managing director Bobby Ting and Kuching South City mayor James Chan.

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Upswing for MASwings
Published on: Wednesday, June 17, 2009



Kota Kinabalu: MASwings - the Sabah and Sarawak service arm of the national carrier - has been registering 25 per cent growth in terms of passengers during the first six month this year despite the global economic downturn.

Its Managing Director, Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, said in February this year, MASwings registered one million passengers after only 17 months of operation.

Speaking at a media briefing on MASwings' current developments, Tuesday, he said since its launch in October 2007, MASwings had flown more than 60,000 passengers a month on average and operate approximately 700 flights a week.

"We are operating in 22 airports with 16 of them in Sarawak, five in Sabah and one in the Federal Territory of Labuan," he said. In terms of routes MASwings has 26 in Sarawak, four in Sabah and eight between Sabah and Sarawak.

He said MASwings was also open to the idea of operating flights within Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

"The matter will be discussed if there are instructions from the Transport Ministry to operate routes between Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines," he said.

Mohd Salleh also disclosed that MASwings' would be phasing out its remaining eight Fokker 50 aircraft with 10 ATR 72-500 planes by April next year.

The Fokker 50s belonged to Penerbangan Nasional Berhad (PNB), which is a subsidiary of the Transport Ministry and MASwings would be returning it one by one.

At present, four of the ATR 72-500 aircraft made in Toulouse, France, were already operational, servicing routes within and between Sabah and Sarawak.

"We are expecting the fifth to be delivered some time at the end of August or in early September. The sixth will be delivered at the end of September and the seventh by December.

"The three remaining aircraft are expected to arrive in February and March next year and we will complete our fleet of 15 turboprop aircraft by April."

The other four aircraft still in operation with MASWings are the Twin Otters. Another Twin Otter will be delivered by April next year.

According to Mohd Salleh, the F50s were no longer viable in servicing MASwings' 38 routes in the two states, which includes rural destinations.

The maintenance cost for the aircraft is also high, he added.

"MASwings is the largest unit of Malaysia Airlines' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. We have been entrusted by the Government to also service routes in the rural areas.

"That is why we are offering the lowest fares to our passengers to ensure everyone can afford to fly to destinations where most other airlines do not," he said.

On an average, Mohd Salleh said MASwings was offering fares from as low as RM59. On top of that, he said the On-Time Performance was at 92 per cent.

MASwings' vision was to become a five-star value carrier and consistently reliable and safe apart from cost efficient. "Because we are partially subsidised by the Government we need to ensure we don't exceed the subsidy allocated to us," he said, adding that MASwings must also make sure that it would be affordable for the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

Mohd Salleh said they wanted to make sure that they play a positive role in enhancing the social economic development and integration within Sabah and Sarawak.

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More airline catering deals on AYS' radar
By Hamisah Hamid
Published: 2009/06/18



AYS Sdn Bhd, which makes microwaveable halal frozen ready-to-eat Malaysian meals under the brand "Sri Kulai", expects the airline industry to contribute significantly to its revenue in the medium term.

The company is currently in talks with two airline caterers to supply Sri Kulai meals to them.

"We will complement their catering business. If they outsource to us, they can reduce their manpower (and) free up their investment in additional facilities," AYS Signatures Sdn Bhd chief executive officerLiow Ren Jan told Business Times in an interview.

He said since it started operation in July last year, the company has supplied eight items of microwaveable frozen meals to low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd.

AYS manufactures and markets Sri Kulai meals, while AYS Signatures handles the licensing of the outlets that sell the products.

Liow said the company's 4,000-sq-ft factory in Bandar Sri Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, which is running at a 20 per cent capacity, will be able to meet demand from the airline industry and Sri Kulai outlets.

The company has invested RM3 million in its business so far, including its factory, equipment, know-how, working capital and brand building.

Sri Kulai has 89 halal certificate meals under its belt and the list is growing.

Besides the airline industry, AYS also supplies Sri Kulai meals to retailers like Jusco.

On Sri Kulai outlets, Liow said they are based on a lifestyle concept, where people can buy the meals for take-away or have the meals at the outlets where they can heat the meals in the microwaves provided there.

"It (Sri Kulai restaurant) is a channel that talks about our products. At the same time, we create entrepreneurship among Malaysians (through licensing)," he said.

AYS is targeting 10 Sri Kulai outlets for its next financial year ending June 30 2010, of which eight outlets would be under licence and two outlets would be owned by AYS Signatures.

Within five years, the number is expected to increase to 100 outlets located in major towns in the country.

The target customers would be single and married women, especially working women who have families.

"At this stage, we are targeting urban people, where the use of microwaves is widespread," he added.

It also plans to export Sri Kulai meals to Indonesia, the UK, Australia and the Middle East.

Sri Kulai's best-selling products are its Dim Sum Combo, followed by nasi lemak and sambal prawn. The three items contribute 60 per cent to its total sales.

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Upgraded Kuching airport set to bring in more visitors
Thursday June 18, 2009

KUCHING: The upgraded Kuching International Airport, with its newly-extended runway, will signal a new era in air travel and connectivity for Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said he was optimistic that with enhanced connectivity, tourist arrivals in Sarawak would increase by leaps and bounds if the state was promoted in a big way.

“Sarawak has many unique attractions,’’ he said after launching the 3.8km-long runway yesterday.

A Boeing 747 jumbo jet with a full passenger load landed shortly after Najib was taken on a tour of the extended runway in a convoy of cars.

The runway, which can also take an Airbus 380, was part of a RM800mil project to upgrade the airport.

The project’s turnkey operator was Global Upline Sdn Bhd.

Najib also officially opened the 420-room Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, built and owned by Global Upline.

He said with the new hotel, Sarawak could promote itself as a centre for international conferences and seminars, and an eco-tourism destination.

He said the total RM1bil investment in the airport and hotel had given the state’s economy a big boost.

Earlier, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the upgraded airport would better position Sarawak in the global tourism map.

He commended Global Upline for its investment in the hotel, adding that previous major hotels built mostly involved public investments.

Global Upline advisor Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing said the four-star Four Points by Sheraton Hotel provided five-star service.

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A flying start for Kuching airport's new runway
NST Online » Local News 2009/06/18



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak listening to a briefing on Kuching
International Airport by an airport project official (right) as Chief Minister Tan
Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Global Up Line Sdn Bhd adviser Tan Sri Ting Pek
Khiing (left) look on, yesterday.

KUCHING: A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 747 aircraft with a full load of passengers made a historic landing at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) here today.

The jumbo jet from Kuala Lumpur, piloted by MAS Senior General Manager of Flight Operations, Captain Datuk Ahmad Zuraidi Dahalan, touched down at 5.05pm on the newly completed extended runway of KIA.

The runway, extended from 2,454 metres to 3,780 metres, is now the longest in Borneo and the fourth in Southeast Asia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It can now take the Airbus 380.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who toured the runway earlier, declared open the extended runway.

Department of Civil Aviation director-general Datuk Azharuddin A. Rahman handed over the certificate of Operational Readiness of Runway Extension to Najib.

Also present was Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

With a pavement width of 60 metres, the runway is to cater for the Boeing 747 aircraft, having a frequency of 1,200 annual departures.

The runway complies with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, and has visual aids such as glide path, localiser, precision approach lights, runway and taxiway lighting and signs.

The extension of the runway is the final stage of the redevelopment of KIA, costing nearly RM800 million. The terminal building's upgrading and extension was completed earlier.

Global Upline Sdn Bhd was the turnkey contractor and it took four years to complete.

In his message in the souvenir book, Taib said the completion of the extended runway was of great significance to the economic development of Sarawak, particularly since it would be able to handle the unhindered operations of Boeing 747-500 or even the Airbus 380.

He said the bigger cargo load would provide greater efficiency for the operations of industries around here.

"The project is yet another contribution and a continuing show of support of the Federal Government to the economic growth of the peoples and the state of Sarawak," he said. -- Bernama

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Originally Posted by nazrey

PROGRESSING :
Subang Skypark
On the next day, VistaJet, a business jet service provider, has announced that it will use the airport as a base of operations in Malaysia. It has chosen Terminal 3, which is being operated by Subang Skypark to be the hub in Asia.

The operator announce that construction works for a 9000 square feet, five star executive lounge begins in February 2008. The construction works was awarded to ArcRadius Sdn Bhd. It is expected that the lounge works will be done by end of March 2008. The transformation plans also calls for a construction of two 42 meters by 47 meters maintenance, repair and overhaul hangars and ten 36 meter by 36 meter parking hangars. The construction of the MRO hangars will complete by end of 2008 while two of the ten parking hangars will complete by end of 2009.

On August 8, 2008, VistaJet Holding SA started operations from the airport. It provides private jet travel from Malaysia to anywhere in the world!
More Infos > http://www.subangskypark.com/





by gripen1976
Subang Skypark (LTSAAS) - SZB
Progress as at 30/05/2009

Internet Booking Facility kiosks to be set up at Skypark Subang Terminal
Friday June 19, 2009



Convenient: Passengers at the KLIA Ekspres counter in KL Sentral.

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) plans to set up six Internet Booking Facility (IBF) kiosks at Skypark Subang Terminal by the end of the year to enable passengers to enjoy greater convenience in buying tickets at anytime.

It is a “self-ticketing” system, very much like the ATM or payment machines where tickets can be bought as early at 6.30am or as late as midnight,

MAS assistant general manager (Distribution) Abdul Mutalib Ishak said there was no need to rush to the ticket office, especially during peak hours and wait for long to book their tickets now.



Showing the way: Abdul Mutalib demonstrating
how to use the Internet to book tickets.

He said so far the response from passengers had been good.

Meanwhile, MAS has also introduced the MH-smart Mobile system on a big scale.

Passengers will now be able to book their tickets, check-in, choose the seat and check on departure time through their handphone.

[nazrey]

The World's 5-Star Airlines™ : Official 5-Star Airlines from SKYTRAX
Source: http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/5star.htm



Asiana Airlines is an airline based in Seoul, South Korea and is one of South Korea's two major airlines, along with Korean Air. Asiana is one of six airlines to receive a five-star rating from Skytrax.

Hubs	     Incheon International Airport
             Gimpo International Airport
Headquarters Seoul, South Korea
Destinations 77 incl. cargo

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is the flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, KL International Airport, and its secondary hub in Kota Kinabalu.

Hubs	     KL International Airport
             Kota Kinabalu International Airport
             Kuching International Airport
             Penang International Airport
Headquarters Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Destinations 111

Cathay Pacific Airways is the international carrier of Hong Kong, with its main hub at Hong Kong International Airport.

Hubs	     Hong Kong International Airport
Headquarters Hong Kong
Destinations 58 incl.cargo

Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) is the national airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Singapore Changi Airport

Hubs	     Singapore Changi Airport
Headquarters Singapore
Destinations 65

Kingfisher Airlines Limited, based in Bangalore, India is India's largest Airline group.

Hubs	     Bengaluru International Airport( Primary Hub)
             Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport( Secondary Hub)
             Indira Gandhi International Airport( Secondary Hub)
Headquarters Bangalore, India
Destinations 77

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. is the flag carrier airline of Qatar, based in Doha. It operates a hub and spoke network, linking over 80 international destinations. It is among the only six airlines awarded 5-star rating by Skytrax along with Kingfisher Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Hubs	     Doha International Airport
Headquarters Doha, Qatar
Destinations 88 incl.cargo destinations

[nazrey]

Major Airports in Malaysia
Photos from Malaysian forum
(Malaysia) 4,124m Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Serves: Kuala Lumpur



(Malaysia) 3,810m Langkawi International Airport
Serves: Langkawi Island, Kedah



(Malaysia) 3,780m Kuching International Airport
Serves: Kuching, Sarawak



(Malaysia) 3,780m Subang International Airport
Serves: Kuala Lumpur (U/C)



(Malaysia) 3,430m Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Serves: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (U/C)



(Malaysia) 3,354m Senai International Airport
Serves: Johor Bahru, Johor



(Malaysia) 3,352m Penang International Airport
Serves: Penang



(Malaysia) 2,800m Sultan Mahmud International Airport
Serves: Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu



(Malaysia) 2,200m Malacca International Airport
Serves: Malacca City, Malacca