Malaysian airports see a 5% increase in passengers

[Alif A. F. 0]

PUTRAJAYA: There was a 5% increase in passenger load at airports nationwide last year, with the KL International Airport topping the list at 24.11 million.

 

Airports in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang recorded between 3.9 and 3.1 million passengers, for both domestic and international flights.

 

KLIA’s main terminal saw 23.21 million passengers last year while the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) has received 4.6 million passengers since it started operations on March 23 last year.

Langkawi airport had the highest percentage of increase in passengers at 12.5%, followed by airports in Penang, Kota Baru and Tioman.

 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who released the data here yesterday, attributed the 2.1 million passenger boost last year – from 41.5 million to 43.66 million – to the increase in air traffic volume with more international airlines operating from the airports since 2005.

 

The new airlines included those from Kuwait, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting yesterday.

 

Describing the LCCT as the fastest growing airport terminal in the region, Chan said it would exceed its capacity – 10 million passengers – by the end of the year, and that expansion plans by Malaysia Airports Bhd and the ministry were almost finalised.

 

The expansion will enable the LCCT to accommodate 15 million passengers, he added.

 

“Expansion will first have to be made to the departure and arrival hall as well as the airport parking to accommodate between three and five more wide-bodied aircraft with double isles like the Airbus 330 for long-haul flights.”

 

Chan said problems such as delay in flights would also be addressed, and it was being monitored closely now.

 

The second stage of the expansion plan would be to have larger car parks and probably more business outlets, he said.