The Star (10/02/2004)
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects a 4%–5% growth (or an increase of 1.3 million to 1.7 million) in overall passenger traffic this year, said managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad.
However, aviation experts are more optimistic. They expect the KL International Airport (KLIA) alone to report 8%–10% rise in passenger numbers this year given that in-bound traffic is stronger and tourist arrivals are growing. The number of airlines operating from and flying into KLIA is also on the rise and so are their frequencies.
The 37 airports managed by MAHB last year handled 34 million passengers; and a 5% increase, or 1.7 million additional passengers, would see its overall passenger traffic rising to 35.8 million, which would translate to higher revenues.
KLIA alone handled 17.5 million passengers last year, or a 6.4% growth, whereas Singapore’s Changi saw a 14.9% decline. Hong Kong was said to be lower by 20% and Bangkok down by 6%.
In December, KLIA saw 1.8 million passengers – the highest since it began operations – and in January it saw 1.6 million, much higher than the 1.2 million in the corresponding month a year ago.
Given the bright prospects, MAHB's share price, currently at around RM1.70, has much upside.
Briefing the press at the KLIA yesterday, Bashir said passenger growth at Kota Kinabalu and Kuching airports was also encouraging, and plans were in the pipeline to expand the two airports. The Kota Kinabalu Airport had 3.3 million passengers last year.
And as passenger traffic at KLIA grows, the airport operator plans to build a second satellite terminal building to accommodate the overflow when the current satellite building reaches its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers.
Bashir, however, declined to elaborate, merely saying it might take four to five years. “But before long we will have to start thinking. We will then have a brand new satellite building to compete with Changi and Bangkok.’’
But, as it is, the airport is capable of handling the massive, new A380 aircraft that can carry 555 passengers. The government has ordered six such aircraft and delivery is expected from 2007 onwards.
“The runways, aprons and taxiways are ready, and we are waiting for designs for the upper deck aerobridge,’’ Bashir said.
And given MAHB’s experience with low-cost carrier in AirAsia, Bashir said, KLIA and other airports managed by the company were also ready to serve other low-cost carriers that wanted to fly into Malaysia.
If need be, MAHB “may even be ready to build a separate terminal building to accommodate low-cost airlines’’, as is done in many other countries, for the requirements of low-cost carriers differ from full-fledged carriers'.
MAHB also lost Senai Airport to Senai Airport Terminal Services last year, which brings the number of airports managed by the company to 37, from 38. But soon it will get to manage the new Pulau Redang airport.
Bashir said the government was reviewing the current baggage handling system at KLIA to further enhance it. MAHB, on its own, had also initiated weekly meetings with various parties operating at the airport to minimise problems and enhance efficiency levels.
He added that MAHB would continue to woo existing and newer airlines to increase frequencies or to fly into KLIA.
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects a 4%–5% growth (or an increase of 1.3 million to 1.7 million) in overall passenger traffic this year, said managing director Datuk Bashir Ahmad.
However, aviation experts are more optimistic. They expect the KL International Airport (KLIA) alone to report 8%–10% rise in passenger numbers this year given that in-bound traffic is stronger and tourist arrivals are growing. The number of airlines operating from and flying into KLIA is also on the rise and so are their frequencies.
The 37 airports managed by MAHB last year handled 34 million passengers; and a 5% increase, or 1.7 million additional passengers, would see its overall passenger traffic rising to 35.8 million, which would translate to higher revenues.
KLIA alone handled 17.5 million passengers last year, or a 6.4% growth, whereas Singapore’s Changi saw a 14.9% decline. Hong Kong was said to be lower by 20% and Bangkok down by 6%.
In December, KLIA saw 1.8 million passengers – the highest since it began operations – and in January it saw 1.6 million, much higher than the 1.2 million in the corresponding month a year ago.
Given the bright prospects, MAHB's share price, currently at around RM1.70, has much upside.
Briefing the press at the KLIA yesterday, Bashir said passenger growth at Kota Kinabalu and Kuching airports was also encouraging, and plans were in the pipeline to expand the two airports. The Kota Kinabalu Airport had 3.3 million passengers last year.
And as passenger traffic at KLIA grows, the airport operator plans to build a second satellite terminal building to accommodate the overflow when the current satellite building reaches its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers.
Bashir, however, declined to elaborate, merely saying it might take four to five years. “But before long we will have to start thinking. We will then have a brand new satellite building to compete with Changi and Bangkok.’’
But, as it is, the airport is capable of handling the massive, new A380 aircraft that can carry 555 passengers. The government has ordered six such aircraft and delivery is expected from 2007 onwards.
“The runways, aprons and taxiways are ready, and we are waiting for designs for the upper deck aerobridge,’’ Bashir said.
And given MAHB’s experience with low-cost carrier in AirAsia, Bashir said, KLIA and other airports managed by the company were also ready to serve other low-cost carriers that wanted to fly into Malaysia.
If need be, MAHB “may even be ready to build a separate terminal building to accommodate low-cost airlines’’, as is done in many other countries, for the requirements of low-cost carriers differ from full-fledged carriers'.
MAHB also lost Senai Airport to Senai Airport Terminal Services last year, which brings the number of airports managed by the company to 37, from 38. But soon it will get to manage the new Pulau Redang airport.
Bashir said the government was reviewing the current baggage handling system at KLIA to further enhance it. MAHB, on its own, had also initiated weekly meetings with various parties operating at the airport to minimise problems and enhance efficiency levels.
He added that MAHB would continue to woo existing and newer airlines to increase frequencies or to fly into KLIA.
