KLIA 2 to start with 10 airlines in 2013

by **hlk** Thu 13 Sep 2012, 11:39

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Terminal, KLIA 2 in
Sepang, is set to host 10 frills-free airlines once it is operational
in May 2013, says Faizal Mansor, Chief Financial Officer of Malaysia
Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

He said the airport operator is
still open to welcome more airlines to use KLIA 2, as the airport is
capable of serving 45 million passengers per year.

He added that
KLIA 2 is designed to accommodate all types of airlines, but it is best
suited for airlines with low-cost business model.

"Once the
airport is operational in May 2013, MAHB will have almost 10 low-cost
carriers flying from there. Among them are Zest Airways, Lion Air,
Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air and definitely, AirAsia.

"We
would love to welcome more airlines to KLIA 2. Five years ago, there
were only five low-cost carriers but now there are about 30 to 40
budget carriers," Faizal told Bernama in an interview.

He said
the latest to join the group of airlines is Malindo Airways, which was
introduced on Tuesday, through a joint-venture between National
Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI) and PT Lion Grup.

On
Malindo Airways, Faizal said MAHB will commence detailed discussion
with the new budget carrier soon, particularly on the level of space
and facilities that it needs at the new airport.
"We have very plain understanding and have not gone to the details yet.

"MAHB
welcomes the new airline to Malaysia as well as to KLIA 2. For an
airport, the more the competition, the better," he added.

KLIA 2
is being constructed at a cost of nearly RM4 billion, to replace the
temporary LCC Terminal, which was constructed in 2006.

The new
airport, located just two kilometres from the main Kuala Lumpur
International Airport terminal, would be the largest LCC Terminal in
the region upon completion, with a total area of 242,000 sq metres.

KLIA
2 will also feature a multi-modal transportation hub for buses, taxis,
and Express Rail Link (ERL) train to provide connectivity for
passengers and also for the public, in addition to the semi-automated
baggage handling system, support zones, cargo and in-flight complexes,
a 6,000-vehicle parking complex, two to three hotels and AirAsia's
future headquarters.

The opening of KLIA 2 will also help make Malaysia as one of the aviation hubs in Southeast Asia. -- BERNAMA