Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use Malaysian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA; Template:Airport codes) is the main international airport serving Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. It is located in the Sepang District of Selangor, approximately Template:Convert south of downtown Kuala Lumpur and serves the city's greater conurbation.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Malaysia and is recognised as a mega hub. In 2023, it handled 47.2 million passengers, 980,040 tonnes of cargo and 819,026 aircraft movements, ranking as the 35th-busiest airport by total passenger traffic.

In 2024, KLIA is the ranked first by OAG (by ratio of connection flight frequency to destinations served) in the Global Low-Cost Megahubs index by with 11,188 possible low-cost connections across over 137 destinations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

OAG also ranked KLIA is the world's second most connected airport (by ratio of connection flight frequency to destinations served) in 2024, with 33,411 possible connections, according to the OAG Megahub Index, second to London–Heathrow and followed by Tokyo–Haneda, Amsterdam and Seoul–Incheon in the top five.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AirAsia is the dominant air carrier in Malaysia, based in KLIA and serving 14,583 low-cost connections, with a 34% share of flights, followed by Malaysia Airlines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports (MAHB) Sepang Sdn Bhd and is the major hub of Malaysia Airlines, MASkargo, Batik Air Malaysia, UPS Airlines and World Cargo Airlines, AirAsia and AirAsia X.

HistoryEdit

BackgroundEdit

The groundbreaking ceremony for Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) took place on 1 June 1993<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> when the government under Mahathir Mohamad decided that the existing Kuala Lumpur airport, then known as Subang International Airport (now Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) could not handle future demand. The construction of the airport was done mainly by a few state owned construction companies as well as Ekovest Berhad – helmed by Tan Sri Datuk Lim Kang Hoo. It was created as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor, a grand development plan for Malaysia. The chief architect who designed the new airport terminal was the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Upon KLIA's completion, Subang Airport's Terminal 1 building was demolished. Malaysia Airports agreed to redevelop the remaining Terminal 3 to create a specialist airport for turboprop and charter planes surrounded by a residential area and a business park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The IATA airport code KUL was transferred from Subang Airport, which currently handles only turboprop aircraft, general aviation and military aircraft.

Current siteEdit

The airport's site spans Template:Convert 2<ref name="KLIA History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> of former agricultural land and is one of the world's largest airport sites. An ambitious three-phase development plan anticipates KLIA to have three runways and two terminals each with two satellite terminals.<ref name="KLIA Phases"/> Phase One involved the construction of the main terminal and one satellite terminal, giving a capacity of 25 million passengers, and two full service runways. The Phase One airport had 60 contact piers, 20 remote parking bays with 80 aircraft parking positions, four maintenance hangars and fire stations. Phase Two, designed to increase capacity to 35 million passengers per year, is largely complete. Phase Three is anticipated to increase capacity to 100 million passengers per year.<ref name="KLIA Phases">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

InaugurationEdit

Kuala Lumpur International Airport was officially inaugurated by the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan, on 27 June 1998, shortly before the 1998 Commonwealth Games.<ref name="KLIA Inauguration">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>New KL International Australian Aviation issue 141 July 1998 page 22</ref>

The inauguration of the airport was marked with numerous problems. The aerobridge and bay allocation systems broke down, with queues building up throughout the airport and the baggage handling breaking down. Bags were lost, and there were waits of over five to seven hours.<ref name="LKS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Most of these issues were remedied eventually, though the baggage handling system was plagued with problems until it was put up for a complete replacement tender in 2007.

The airport suffered greatly reduced traffic with the general reduction in economic activity brought about by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, September 11 attacks, SARS, bird flu epidemic (Avian flu), the 2008 financial crisis, the 2009 swine flu pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport is also largely overshadowed by the more internationally renowned Changi Airport located approximately Template:Convert to the southeast in Singapore, especially in regards to connecting flights by various airlines or Malaysians especially living in the southern parts of the country (e.g. Johor) preferring to travel via Changi rather than at KLIA.

The first year of opening immediately saw reduction of passenger numbers as some airlines, including All Nippon Airways (resumed on 1 September 2015), British Airways (reinstated on 28 May 2015 until 28 March 2021<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>), Lufthansa (resumed between 28 March 2004<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> until 28 February 2016)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> discontinued their flights. Qantas moved their Sydney-Kuala Lumpur route to its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar, which continued to operate the route until 2008. Aeroflot terminated their Moscow-Kuala Lumpur via Singapore route in 2001, although there had been discussions about Aeroflot resuming the Kuala Lumpur route, no progress was made, and Northwest Airlines terminated their loss-making route from Osaka to Kuala Lumpur in 2001. KLIA's first full year of operations in 1999, in its Phase One manifestation (capacity of 25 million passengers per year), saw only 13.2 million passengers.<ref name="KLIA Passengers Up">Template:Cite news</ref> Passenger numbers eventually increased to 21.1 million in 2004 and 47 million in 2013<ref name="2013 Statistics">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> — though short of the originally estimated 25 million passengers per year by 2003.

RebrandingEdit

On 9 February 2023, transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that the government and MAHB had agreed to rebrand KLIA and klia2 to KLIA Terminal 1 and KLIA Terminal 2 respectively.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The costs associated with the rebranding will be fully borne by MAHB.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

RunwaysEdit

File:KLIA Layout.svg
Airport layout

Kuala Lumpur International Airport has three parallel runways (14L/32R; 14R/32L; 15/33<ref>For KLIA2, arrivals for can only use 32L while departures can only use 14R</ref>), which all three of which are over Template:Convert long and Template:Convert wide. The length of Runway 14L/32R is Template:Convert, runway 14R/32L is Template:Convert, while runway 15/33 is Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Each runways had at least nine taxiways exits ranging from 2 minutes to 11 minutes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The current three runway system is capable of handling 78 landings per hour and was expected to increase to 108 landings per hour once upgrading of the Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region had been completed in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The airport has CAT II Precision Landing ILS (runways 14L/32R and 14R/32L) to guide landing aircraft safely under all weather conditions with visibility as low as 350 metres (1,150 ft) whilst runway 15/33 has CAT I Precision Landing ILS that guide safe landings under all situations with lowest possible visibility at 900 metres (2 953 ft).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These runways operate on different departure/arrival modes according to the air traffic requirements.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Operations and infrastructureEdit

Kuala Lumpur International Airport features a number of modern design features that assist in the efficient operation of the airport. It is one of the first Asia Pacific airports to become 100% Bar Coded Boarding Pass capable.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Malaysia Airlines;<ref>"Malaysia Airlines Recovery Plan Quarterly Update (1 Sept-30 Nov 15) Template:Webarchive." Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved on 5 May 2016.</ref> AirAsia;<ref>Chan Tien Hin. "AirAsia Has Record Drop on Loss, Analyst Downgrade." Bloomberg L.P.. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2009.</ref> MASkargo, a cargo airline;<ref>"Location Map Template:Webarchive." MASkargo. Retrieved 22 February 2010. "Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd. 1M, Zone C, Advanced Cargo Centre KLIA Free Commercial Zone, Southern Support Zone Kuala Lumpur International Airport 64000 Sepang Selangor, Malaysia "</ref> and Malaysia Airports, the Malaysian Airports operator and manager; are headquartered on the property of KLIA.<ref>"Contact Information Template:Webarchive." Malaysia Airports. Retrieved 23 May 2011. "Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Malaysia Airports Corporate Office, Persiaran Korporat KLIA, 64000 KLIA, Sepang, Selangor."</ref> Malaysia Airlines also operates its Flight Management Building at KLIA.<ref>"Contact." Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 31 October 2012. "MAS Golden Boutiques Sdn. Bhd. 1st Floor, MAS Flight Management Building 64000 Sepang, Kuala Lumpur International Airport Selangor, Malaysia"</ref>

Air traffic control towerEdit

File:Klia-control-tower.jpg
KLIA Tower East Control Tower
File:KLIA control tower 2 2016 October.jpg
KLIA Tower West Control Tower
File:KLIA Apron-Tower.jpg
KLIA Apron Control Tower

There are two air traffic control towers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport: the two main control towers (Tower East and Tower West) and the apron control tower. Tower East is the original control tower which stands since the start, towering at 130 metres tall and control the traffic of both initial two runways.<ref name="tower1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Tower West is 133.8 metres tall and is the tallest air traffic control tower in the world, followed by Suvarnabhumi Airport's control tower and Tower East during its inauguration which now being beaten by King Abdulaziz International Airport which possess a 136 metres tall air traffic control tower.<ref name="tower2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both shaped like an Olympic torch, it houses the air traffic control systems and radar equipment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The 55-metre apron control tower is responsible for providing Air Traffic Service to aircraft and vehicle movement in the northern and southern parts of the Satellite Terminal building and the cargo apron areas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Baggage handling systemEdit

The airport's baggage handling system (BHS) features baggage common check-in at any of the 216 counters on a 24-hour basis and incorporates automatic bar-code sorting control, 4 level in-line baggage security screening and high speed conveyor belts.<ref name="klia2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:KLIA baggage reclaim.jpg
KLIA's conveyor belts

The BHS was built by Toyo Kanetsu<ref name="firstBHS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with lots of new mechanism such as Belt Carry Sorter, Triplanar, Hinged Diverter, Horizontal Sliding Belt Diverter, and FOD (foreign object debris) Detection System.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2006, a contract to extend the system from the satellite building to the ERL (Express Rail Link) platform in the Main Terminal Building was awarded to Siemens.<ref name="bhsupgrade">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The new system from Siemens will transport baggage between the two terminals at speeds of up to 36 km per hour, compared to the previous rate of 7.2 km per hour.<ref name="bhsupgrade"/> The new system uses a high-speed tray conveyor system in which bags are placed on individual trays for better control and tracking at high speed compared to conventional belt conveyors enables the baggage to be checked-out in KL Sentral once the operator of KLIA Express, ERL Berhad introduce the new facility.<ref>Siemens. Siemens equips Kuala Lumpur Airport with high-speed baggage handling system. April.</ref>

Some of the facilities of the baggage handling system in terminal 1 <ref name="BHS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> include:

  • Eight short-term car park baggage check-in counters
  • Eight bus and train stations baggage check-in counters
  • Three stage baggage security screening system
  • Early check-in baggage storage (1,200 bags capacity)
  • 17 baggage reclaim carousels together with LCCT
  • 33 km total length of conveyor belts
  • Part of the belts travel through a 1.1 km tunnel from the Main Terminal Building to the Satellite Building

Meanwhile, in terminal 2, the baggage handling system being implemented by BCS Group from Norway<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and upgraded by Daifuku Airport Technologies From Japan until its opening in May 2014, costing RM 60 million.<ref name="klia2upgrade">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The BHS in terminal 2 is as follows:

  • 128 check-ins
  • Over 10km in aggregate length for over 1,200 conveyors
  • Over 2km in aggregate length for 21 carousels
  • CCTV system for the complete baggage system
  • Two High speed tilt tray sorters
  • 14 inline screening X-ray machines on the conventional baggage system plus 5 for the out of gauge lines
  • 250 barcode readers
  • EBS infrastructure for early bags

Several companies handle the baggage systems in KLIA. For the homebase airlines, Malaysia Airlines operates the BHS through AeroDarat Services, Airasia uses Ground Team Red, and Malindo has their own baggage crews. There are also two more baggage handlers operate under Kuala Lumpur Airport System (KLAS) which are Pos Aviation and ProSky Services.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

IATA had agreed to facilitate the usage of RFID tags between KL International Airport and Hong Kong Airport after the launch of the world's smallest multiband RFID chip in Kuala Lumpur. KLIA will be the second airport to use RFID<ref name="RFID in KLIA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The RFID baggage tagging trial between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport is completed. Baggage tags are being issued at both Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific check-in counters. The trial was delayed due to problems obtaining printers. Furthermore, KLIA is now awaiting reports from IATA which scheduled to be released first quarter of 2008.<ref name="RFID Trial in KLIA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2017, there was a mishap of baggage handling which caused 50 flights delays and affected 1500 passengers which later managed to be solved.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The increasing passengers traffics and non-optimized system due to never being replaced gave a signal for MAHB to implement BHS upgrade in 2019 which predictably will cost RM 500-600 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are four Bursa Malaysia company with joining in force with six multinational company were competing for the tender.<ref name="firstBHS"/> The project was being given to T7 Kemuncak Sdn. Bhd. with the joint venture with Siemens Logistics. The new BHS will provide a boost of extra 2500 bag positions with the new system called VarioTray, which is a high-speed conveyor system connected between the Main Terminal Building and Satellite A, will enable bags to be transferred swiftly and securely between the two buildings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Fire and rescueEdit

File:KLIAADepartureLounge.jpg
Departure lounge with large windows for light and aircraft viewing.

KLIA's Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS) rated Category 10 (can handled emergencies involving huge jumbo jets such as Airbus A380, Antonov An-225 and Boeing 747-8) are provided to cope with aircraft accidents.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This is important as KLIA itself is categorised as a National Vital Installation Priority 1, representing facilities of the highest importance to national security and the function of government.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:KLIA firestation.jpg
KLIA firestation

There are three fire stations at the airport nearby each runways, fully equipped with fire and emergency rescue equipment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are total of 10 Ultra Large Foam Tender, Ziegler 8-(8x8) vehicles costing RM 3.8 million each.<ref name= AerodomeWMKK>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Air cargoEdit

The KLIA Advance Cargo Center (ACC) covers Template:Convert of land and can handle one million tonnes of cargo per annum, with the capability to expand to 3 million tonnes/year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The center is designed as an integrated transshipment hub within a Free Commercial Zone.<ref name="facilities">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fueled by high economic growth in the South East Asian countries and China, the airport handled 677,000 tonnes of air cargo in 2006, a 5.9% growth over the 2005 fiscal year.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

To handle your cargo efficiently, the ACC is equipped with the following:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Container Storage System (CSS) – over 2,200 storage positions to accommodate various ULDs with 5ETVs
  • Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) – 12 units Stacker Cranes for 6,500 storage bins
  • 60 units of Automated Electrified Monorail linked to 10 units of interfloor hoists
  • 28 units Airside Interface Deck
  • Two units bypass Conveyor system dedicated for SLAC ULD
  • Over 100 Breakdown and buildup workstations
  • Over 100 truck docks
  • 13 units fully automated transfer vehicles
  • Two units 20 tons Bridge cranes
  • Odd-sizes storage space (OVS)
  • Computerised Truck dock management system
  • Over 14,000 sqm of Unit Loading Devices Storage Yard
  • Weighing scales – Automated weighing scale interface with material handling system, maximum capacity 20,000kgs
  • ULD and large skid X-ray machines
  • 24 hours warehouse surveillance with close to 200 CCTVs

Applying added information technologies, the main operator of the center, MASKargo with joint venture with Unisys, introduced various artificial intelligence systems to handle cargo such as KLIA Community System (KLIACS), optimize load utilization, routing and inventory for air cargo, ground handlers and freight forwarders.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the authority also pioneered the DagangNET System, allowing users to conduct trade declarations and apply for permits over the internet and speeding the approval process by controlling authorities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These systems will be linked the Total Airport Management System.

According to MAHB, the cargo movement of KLIA is 656,762 tonnes in 2023.<ref name="MAHB2023"/>

File:Klmcombiklia.jpg
Ground Handling of a KLM Combi 747

Animal hotelEdit

The animal hotel is operated by Malaysia Airlines's cargo arm, MASKargo.<ref name="facilities"/> The hotel operates 24 hours and manages all imports, exports and stop-over transhipments that are related to animals, and offers a pets stay-in program where owners can leave their pets to in the hotel while they are away for vacations mainly at Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station (KLAQS).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At least 500 consignments of livestock being handled per day at the animal hotel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Aircraft maintenanceEdit

There are four hangars housing facilities to provide aircraft maintenance provided by Malaysia Airlines and Kuala Lumpur Airport Service (KLAS) suitable for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The airport also has a hangar which is purposely built for the Airbus A380, the first in South East Asia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The construction of the hangar was completed in 2007.<ref name="A380 Hangar">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Asian Digital Engineering, the MRO arm of Airasia has launched a new 14-line hangar that covers 35,300 sq m on an 8.2ha site that features dedicated workshops, including a composite workshop, sheet metal and machine workshop, upholstery workshop, cabin interior repair workshop and a 3D printing lab for aircraft livery.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Meteorological servicesEdit

The Aeronautical Meteorological Station (AMS) is located near Runway 14R-32L which provides weather information for the aviation community in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The AMS houses a Meteorological Data Processing System (MDPS) for weather data collection, processing, storage and analytical needs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> AMS constantly make weather observations using radiosonde instrument to measure atmospheric profiles such as wind speed, wind direction, pressure, temperature and humidity at every level up to an altitude of about 30 kilometres before issuing aerodrome warnings on adverse weather for protection of aerodrome facilities and aircraft on the ground.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

TerminalsEdit

Terminal overview
Terminal Opened Floor area Handling capacity Parking bays
Terminal 1
(Main Terminal Building 1 & Contact Pier)
27 June 1998 Template:Convert 5 million passengers per year 20 (aerobridge)
23 (remote)
Terminal 1
(Satellite Terminal A)
27 June 1998 Template:Convert 20 million passengers per year 26 (aerobridge)
15 (remote)
Terminal 2 1 May 2014 Template:Convert 45 million passengers per year 68 (aerobridge)
10 (remote)
Bunga Raya Complex
(VIP terminal)
27 June 1998
Total - Template:Convert 70 million passengers per year 114 (aerobridge)
48 (remote)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport comprises two main terminals: the original terminal, Terminal 1, previously known simply as "KLIA"; and the newer Terminal 2 (formerly KLIA2). Terminal 1 was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, who also designed the Domestic Terminal (T2) at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, with an emphasis of natural lighting within the airport complex. Spanning 38.4m along a grid pattern allowing for future expansions, the abstract symbolic architecture by the late Kisho Kurokawa encompasses the Islamic geometry and cutting-edge technology with the tropical rainforest in mind.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

KLIA Terminal 1Edit

Main Terminal BuildingEdit

The KLIA Main Terminal Building (MTB) now also referred to as KLIA Main is located in between the two runways. The floor area of the terminal covers Template:Convert and the building consists of 39 square roof units, which enables future expansion of the building. There are a total of 216 check-in counters, located in 6 different islands, identified by the letters A – M (excluding I). Multi check-in services are available, designed for the use of all passengers arriving, departing or in transit. Self check in facilities are available in this airport since 2007,<ref name="KLIA SITA SCI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="KLIA CUSS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and KLM was the first airline to use the Common-use self-service kiosks. The contact pier is an extension of the main terminal building with gates marked with prefix A and B for domestic departures, G and H for international flights. The gate allocation is based on operational requirements, although it has been observed that Malaysia Airlines has been operating most of its operations out from the contact pier.

Satellite Terminal AEdit

File:KLIA Jungle Boardwalk, May 2024.jpg
Jungle Boardwalk at the Satellite Terminal

The Template:Convert satellite building accommodates international flights departing and arriving at KLIA T1. Passengers taking flights parked at the satellite terminal are transported by bus from the main terminal; as of March 2023, the Aerotrain that connects this building with the main terminal has been suspended for repairs and rolling stock replacement and is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

There is a wide array of duty-free shops and prestige brand boutiques in the satellite building. This includes international brands such as Burberry, Harrods, Montblanc, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Hermes. Among all international labels available within the terminal, some boutiques such as Harrods are only available in the airport. A number of restaurants and international airlines' lounges are available as well as an Airside Transit Hotel.

Within the terminal, wireless internet (Wi-Fi) is provided free of charge. The terminal also has prayer rooms, showers and massage service. Various lounge areas are provided, some including children's play areas and movie lounge, broadcasting movie and sport channels.<ref name="KLIA Wifi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The terminal also features a natural rainforest in the middle of the terminal, exhibiting the Malaysian rainforests.

Under Malaysia Airports Berhad retail optimisation plan, the retail space in satellite terminal A will be further optimised to increase its revenue derived from commercial space rental and a percentage of sale receipts to 50% by year 2010 which currently stands at 35%. Some notable improvements that will be seen after the refurbishments will be the Jungle Boardwalk<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which will be the first of its kind in the world and larger mezzanine floor to accommodate F&B outlets and viewing galleries.<ref name="KLIA Optimize">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The gates in Satellite Terminal A have the prefix C. The Satellite A terminal has 27 boarding gates altogether.<ref name="KLIA layout plan">Template:Cite news</ref>

KL City Air TerminalEdit

KL City Air Terminal, sometimes known as Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal or KL CAT, located at KL Sentral, is a virtual extension of KL International Airport where city check-in services are provided. KL City Air Terminal is recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and carries the IATA designation XKL. Currently there are only two airlines providing city check-in services: Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air Malaysia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

KLIA Terminal 2 (formerly known as KLIA2)Edit

File:KLIA2 2016 October.jpg
Exterior of Terminal 2 at night

Built at a cost of approximately RM4 billion, it is the largest purpose-built terminal optimised for low-cost carriers, like AirAsia in response to the exponential growth of low-cost travel in the region. It was built to replace the previous Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). KLIA T2 began its operations on 2 May 2014, and all flight operations at LCCT were moved to KLIA T2 by 9 May 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As part of its development, a third runway (Runway 15/33) and a new air traffic control tower (Tower West) were built to support its operation. KLIA T2 has an initial capacity of 45 million passengers per year. The terminal has a built-up area of 257,845 sqm with 68 departure gates, 10 remote stands, 80 aerobridges, includes a retail space of 32,000 sqm to accommodate a total of 220 retail outlets.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The main terminal building of KLIA T2 is connected with its satellite piers with a skybridge, making it the first airport in Asia with such facility.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> KLIA T2 is certified with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED).

File:KLIA2 self-check-in terminals 2016 September.jpg
Terminal 2 main lobby with self check-in kiosks

Check-in counters are divided into 8 rows located in 4 islands, each row identified by the letters S – Z. Boarding gates are located in 5 piers, indicated by the letters J and K for domestic flights, and L, P and Q for international flights. Piers J, K and L are connected directly to the main terminal building, while Piers P and Q are accessible via the skybridge. Piers K and L are physically the same pier and share the same gates, but with waiting lounges on different levels (Level 1A for K and Level 2 for L). For international flights, the access door from Pier K is sealed off, while for domestic flights, the access door from Pier L is sealed off instead.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

At present, inter-terminal connection is provided on the landside at Gateway@klia2 complex and there are provisions for future airside inter-terminal connection.<ref name="Inter-Terminal Transfer">Template:Cite news</ref>

Gateway@klia2Edit

Gateway@klia2 is an integrated shopping complex that is connected to the main KLIA T2 terminal building. It has a 350,000 square feet of net lettable space spanning over four levels. The transport hub at Gateway@klia2 links klia2 to the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit service, with allotted pick-up and drop-off areas for coaches, taxis, rented vehicles and private transportation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Gateway@klia2 hosts an 8-storey car park that directly adjoins KLIA T2. There are 6,000 covered parking lots at Blocks A and B and another 5,500 lots at car park D (KLIA2 parking rate<ref>KLIA2 parking rate</ref>). Shuttle buses are available to take the public from the car park D to the terminal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The first capsule transit hotel in Asia, the Capsule by Container Hotel, is also located at Gateway@klia2. Gateway@klia2 is managed by WCT Holdings Berhad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Former Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)Template:AnchorEdit

The now defunct Template:Convert low cost carrier terminal (LCCT) was opened at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 23 March 2006 to cater for the growing number of users of low-cost airlines, especially the passengers of Malaysia's "no-frills" airline AirAsia. The terminal was designed and built in accordance to the low cost carrier business model, with limited terminal amenities. As requested by the low-cost airlines, the terminal did not provide aerobridges, nor were there transfer facilities, rail connections, and the other facilities provided in a fully fledged terminal. LCCT was located within the Air Support Zone; it ceased operations on 9 May 2014, and all low-cost carrier flights subsequently operated out of KLIA T2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Future Expansion PlansEdit

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has announced plans to expand the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to accommodate the increasing number of air travelers. Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook stated that the proposal includes increasing the capacity of KLIA Terminal 1 from 30 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 59 mppa and KLIA Terminal 2 from 45 mppa to 67 mppa. The expansion plan also considers constructing a fourth runway and a new Terminal 3 in the future.<ref name="New terminals, fourth runway being considered for KLIA expansion, Dewan Rakyat told">Template:Citation</ref>

In addition to the long-term plans, short-term measures have been introduced to improve the passenger experience, such as the installation of self-check-in kiosks and the addition of 20 new immigration autogates. Furthermore, MAHB plans to build a Private Premium Terminal designed for passengers seeking premium services, offering expedited immigration and customs processes and accommodating up to 100 users at a time. This project is currently in the planning stage and is expected to begin in 2025.<ref name="New terminals, fourth runway being considered for KLIA expansion, Dewan Rakyat told"/>

MAHB also aims to establish a Hajj and Umrah Terminal with a capacity of five mppa, specifically catering to Muslim pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. This terminal would enable Saudi Arabia's immigration pre-clearance procedures to be conducted at KLIA, reducing waiting times at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. However, this development is contingent on approval from the Saudi Arabian government.<ref name="New terminals, fourth runway being considered for KLIA expansion, Dewan Rakyat told"/>

Other buildingsEdit

Malaysia Airlines has its head office in the Southern Support Zone. The head office moved there in December 2015.<ref>"Malaysia Airlines Recovery Plan Quarterly Update (1 Sept-30 Nov 15)." Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved on May 5, 2016.</ref>

The Air Asia head office is located on the airport property.<ref>"AirAsia Annual Report 2008." AirAsia. 3 (5/137). Retrieved on 6 October 2009.</ref><ref>Chan Tien Hin. "AirAsia Has Record Drop on Loss, Analyst Downgrade." Bloomberg. 1 December 2008. Retrieved on 27 September 2009.</ref> AirAsia planned to move its head office to a new Template:Convert, RM140mil facility constructed at klia2.<ref name=RedQ>"RedQuarters set to become AirAsia's global HQ by 2016 " (Archive). The Star. November 15, 2014. Retrieved on September 2, 2015.</ref> Until the new head office opened, the airline's head office remained at LCCT. The new klia2 head office was scheduled to open in the end of 2015.<ref>"AirAsia denies funding issues in moving HQ to klia2" (Archive). The Malaysian Insider. 2 June 2014. Retrieved on 28 August 2014.</ref> It is scheduled to hold about 2,000 AirAsia and AirAsia X employees.<ref name=RedQ/> Aireen Omar, the AirAsia Country CEO of Malaysia, stated that the headquarters needed to be redesigned because in the klia2 plans the location of the control tower had been changed.<ref name="ABNHQ">"AirAsia's new HQ to be completed by end-2015 Template:Webarchive." ABN News. 4 June 2014. Retrieved on 29 August 2014.</ref> Construction on the facility was scheduled to begin in July 2014.<ref>Lim, Levina. "AirAsia: Delay in moving HQ to klia2 not due to funding issues" (Archive). The Edge Financial Daily. Tuesday 3 June 2014. Retrieved on 29 August 2014.</ref> Malaysia Airports Holdings is leasing the land that will be occupied by the headquarters.<ref name=ABNHQ/> A Philippines AirAsia X flight attendant, January Ann Baysa gave the building the name "RedQuarters" or "RedQ", and its groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2014.<ref name=RedQ/> The project was completed and opened on 7 November 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

MASkargo has its head office at 1M, Zone C in the Advanced Cargo Centre in the KLIA Free Commercial Zone in the Southern Support Zone<ref>"Location Map Template:Webarchive." MASkargo. Retrieved on 22 February 2010. "Malaysia Airlines Cargo Sdn. Bhd. 1M, Zone C, Advanced Cargo Centre KLIA Free Commercial Zone, Southern Support Zone Kuala Lumpur International Airport 64000 Sepang Selangor, Malaysia "</ref> Malaysia Airports has its head office in the Malaysia Airports Corporate Office in the Persiaran Korporat KLIA.<ref>"Contact Information Template:Webarchive." Malaysia Airports. Retrieved on May 23, 2011. "Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Malaysia Airports Corporate Office, Persiaran Korporat KLIA, 64000 KLIA, Sepang, Selangor."</ref> Malaysia Airlines operates its Flight Management Building at KLIA. It includes the head office of MAS Golden Boutiques Sdn. Bhd.<ref>"Contact." Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved on 31 October 2012. "MAS Golden Boutiques Sdn. Bhd. 1st Floor, MAS Flight Management Building 64000 Sepang, Kuala Lumpur International Airport Selangor, Malaysia"</ref>

Airlines and destinationsEdit

PassengerEdit

Template:Airport destination list

CargoEdit

Template:Airport-dest-list

StatisticsEdit

Template:Airport-Statistics

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Rank Airport Passengers % change
2022/23
1 Template:Flagdeco Singapore 3,601,340 Template:Increase 52.0
2 Template:Flagdeco Jakarta–Soekarno–Hatta 1,892,344 Template:Increase 113.0
3 Template:Flagdeco Denpasar 1,370,621 Template:Increase 140.7
4 Template:Flagdeco Bangkok–Don Mueang 1,310,132 Template:Increase 161.6
5 Template:Flagdeco Taipei–Taoyuan 987,063 Template:Increase 610.5
6 Template:Flagdeco Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi 965,131 Template:Increase 82.3
7 Template:Flagdeco Ho Chi Minh City 861,760 Template:Increase 102.2
8 Template:Flagdeco Dhaka 859,679 Template:Increase 52.5
9 Template:Flagdeco Jeddah 771,174 Template:Increase 38.9
10 Template:Flagdeco Medan 769,006 Template:Increase 146.1
11 Template:Flagdeco Dubai–International 726,389 Template:Increase 161.0
12 Template:Flagdeco Hong Kong 704,699 Template:Increase 575.1
13 Template:Flagdeco Phuket 702,317 Template:Increase 179.3
14 Template:Flagdeco Manila 690,335 Template:Increase 94.2
15 Template:Flagdeco Seoul–Incheon 638,026 Template:Increase 182.6
16 Template:Flagdeco Guangzhou 622,384 Template:Increase 1,583.3
17 Template:Flagdeco Surabaya 609,261 Template:Increase 156.2
18 Template:Flagdeco Doha 606,041 Template:Increase 31.4
19 Template:Flagdeco Chennai 573,338 Template:Increase 76.2
20 Template:Flagdeco Perth 561,975 Template:Increase 250.5
21 Template:Flagdeco Sydney 545,376 Template:Increase 142.1
22 Template:Flagdeco Melbourne 534,425 Template:Increase 117.9
23 Template:Flagdeco Tokyo–Narita 482,519 Template:Increase 115.6
24 Template:Flagdeco Kathmandu 448,823 Template:Increase 23.8
25 Template:Flagdeco Delhi 424,349 Template:Increase 119.7
26 Template:Flagdeco Phnom Penh 387,576 Template:Increase 100.1
27 Template:Flagdeco Hanoi 380,280 Template:Increase 215.7
28 Template:Flagdeco Colombo–Bandaranaike 368,744 Template:Increase 130.4
29 Template:Flagdeco Tokyo–Haneda 365,818 Template:Increase 830.1
30 Template:Flagdeco London–Heathrow 362,392 Template:Increase 40.5
31 Template:Flagdeco Shanghai–Pudong 361,750 Template:Increase 2,992.9
32 Template:Flagdeco Tiruchirappalli 352,851 Template:Increase 50.8
33 Template:Flagdeco Istanbul 351,279 Template:Increase 55.7
34 Template:Flagdeco Da Nang 323,195 Template:Increase 267.2
35 Template:Flagdeco Osaka–Kansai 318,767 Template:Increase 719.8
36 Template:Flagdeco Medina 295,762 Template:Increase 21.0
37 Template:Flagdeco Bandar Seri Begawan 271,942 Template:Increase 88.5
38 Template:Flagdeco Kochi 264,586 Template:Increase 158.1
39 Template:Flagdeco Shenzhen 261,419 Template:Increase 22,320.2
40 Template:Flagdeco Pekanbaru 258,023 Template:Increase 923.8
41 Template:Flagdeco Mumbai 249,036 Template:Increase 127.1
42 Template:Flagdeco Padang 241,217 Template:Increase 1,247.2
43 Template:Flagdeco Auckland 228,205 Template:Increase 185.3
44 Template:Flagdeco Bengaluru 223,596 Template:Increase 95.5
45 Template:Flagdeco Abu Dhabi 223,566 Template:Increase 43.5
46 Template:Flagdeco Hyderabad 218,617 Template:Increase 120.2
47 Template:Flagdeco Krabi 214,838 Template:Increase 358.0
48 Template:Flagdeco Yogyakarta 210,533 Template:Increase 493.5
49 Template:Flagdeco Yangon 201,072 Template:Increase 37.5
50 Template:Flagdeco Muscat 185,340 Template:Increase 95.8
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Rank Airport Passengers % change
2021/22
1 Template:Flagicon Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 2,171,604 Template:Increase 306.6
2 Template:Flagicon Kuching, Sarawak 1,756,964 Template:Increase 489.2
3 Template:Flagicon Langkawi, Kedah 1,471,511 Template:Increase 185.9
4 Template:Flagicon Penang, Penang 1,044,895 Template:Increase 480.0
5 Template:Flagicon Kota Bharu, Kelantan 784,586 Template:Increase 206.9
6 Template:Flagicon Tawau, Sabah 750,998 Template:Increase 261.5
7 Template:Flagicon Miri, Sarawak 528,918 Template:Increase 503.9
8 Template:Flagicon Sibu, Sarawak 493,929 Template:Increase 594.4
9 Template:Flagicon Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu 415,291 Template:Increase 343.0
10 Template:Flagicon Johor Bahru, Johor 337,289 Template:Increase 439.6
Operational statistics of Kuala Lumpur International Airport<ref name="MAHB2023"/>
Year Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
1998 6,524,405 Template:Nochange 156,641 Template:Nochange 64,123 Template:Nochange
1999 13,172,635 Template:Increase 101.9 417,068 Template:Increase 166.3 116,589 Template:Increase 81.8
2000 14,732,876 Template:Increase 11.8 510,594 Template:Increase 22.4 109,925 Template:Decrease 5.7
2001 14,538,831 Template:Decrease 1.3 440,864 Template:Decrease 13.6 113,590 Template:Increase 3.3
2002 16,398,230 Template:Increase 12.8 527,124 Template:Increase 19.6 127,952 Template:Increase 12.6
2003 17,454,564 Template:Increase 6.4 586,195 Template:Increase 11.2 139,947 Template:Increase 9.4
2004 21,058,572 Template:Increase 20.6 651,747 Template:Increase 11.2 165,115 Template:Increase 18.0
2005 23,213,926 Template:Increase 10.2 653,654 Template:Increase 0.3 182,537 Template:Increase 10.5
2006 24,129,748 Template:Increase 4.0 672,888 Template:Increase 3.0 183,869 Template:Increase 0.7
2007 26,453,379 Template:Increase 9.6 644,100 Template:Decrease 4.3 193,710 Template:Increase 5.3
2008 27,529,355 Template:Increase 4.1 649,077 Template:Increase 0.8 211,228 Template:Increase 9.0
2009 29,682,093 Template:Increase 7.8 584,559 Template:Decrease 10.0 226,751 Template:Increase 7.3
2010 34,087,636 Template:Increase 14.8 674,902 Template:Increase 15.4 245,650 Template:Increase 8.3
2011 37,704,510 Template:Increase 10.6 669,849 Template:Decrease 0.7 269,509 Template:Increase 9.7
2012 39,887,866 Template:Increase 5.8 673,107 Template:Increase 0.5 283,352 Template:Increase 5.1
2013 47,498,157 Template:Increase 19.1 680,982 Template:Increase 1.2 326,678 Template:Increase 15.3
2014 48,930,409 Template:Increase 3.0 753,899 Template:Increase 10.7 340,821 Template:Increase 4.3
2015 48,938,424 Template:Nochange 0.0 726,230 Template:Decrease 3.7 354,519 Template:Increase 4.0
2016 52,643,511 Template:Increase 7.6 642,558 Template:Decrease 11.5 356,614 Template:Increase 0.6
2017 58,554,627 Template:Increase 11.2 710,186 Template:Increase 10.5 387,234 Template:Increase 8.6
2018 59,988,409 Template:Increase 2.4 714,669 Template:Increase 0.6 399,827 Template:Increase 3.3
2019 62,336,469 Template:Increase 3.9 687,240 Template:Decrease 3.8 407,315 Template:Increase 2.1
2020 13,156,363 Template:Decrease 78.9 505,183 Template:Decrease 26.5 124,529 Template:Decrease 69.4
2021 4,011,836 Template:Decrease 69.5 660,039 Template:Increase 30.7 73,673 Template:Decrease 40.8
2022 25,399,296 Template:Increase 533.1 684,459 Template:Increase 3.7 198,302 Template:Increase 169.2
2023 47,224,000 Template:Increase 85.9 660,040 Template:Decrease 3.6 319,026 Template:Increase 60.9
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Rank Country Passengers movement % change
2017 / 18
1 Template:Flagu 7,792,194 Template:Increase 6.2
2 Template:Flagdeco China 4,703,041 Template:Increase 8.4
3 Template:Flagu 4,212,887 Template:Decrease 1.3
4 Template:Flagu 4,097,000 Template:Increase 0.3
5 Template:Flagu 3,250,736 Template:Increase 7.7
6 Template:Flagu 2,343,155 Template:Decrease 8.7
7 Template:Flagu 1,983,727 Template:Increase 8.7
8 Template:Flagu 1,580,320 Template:Decrease 0.3
9 Template:Flagu 1,503,733 Template:Increase 1.0
10 Template:Flagu 1,302,689 Template:Increase 32.2
Largest airlines by passengers (2018)<ref name="MAHB2018"/>
Rank Airlines Passengers carried % market
share
1 AirAsia 22,749,737 37.9
2 Malaysia Airlines 13,403,931 22.3
3 AirAsia X 5,643,538 9.4
4 Malindo Air 4,438,320 7.4
5 Indonesia AirAsia 1,269,368 2.1
6 Emirates 861,235 1.4
7 Cathay Dragon 722,029 1.2
8 Saudia 565,768 0.9
9 SilkAir 565,158 0.9
10 Lion Air 534,406 0.9
Busiest international freight routes (2018)<ref name="MAHB2018"/>
Rank Airport Freight
(tonnes)
% change
2017 / 18
1 Template:Flagdeco Hong Kong 50,378 Template:Decrease 11.3
2 Template:Flagdeco Taipei–Taoyuan 34,800 Template:Increase 11.7
3 Template:Flagdeco Seoul–Incheon 31,708 Template:Increase 0.5
4 Template:Flagdeco Shanghai–Pudong 30,394 Template:Decrease 16.4
5 Template:Flagdeco Singapore 29,711 Template:Decrease 2.6
6 Template:Flagdeco Tokyo–Narita 28,584 Template:Increase 9.2
7 Template:Flagdeco Doha 24,177 Template:Decrease 5.9
8 Template:Flagdeco Melbourne 23,818 Template:Increase 3.8
9 Template:Flagdeco Sydney 22,464 Template:Increase 3.0
10 Template:Flagdeco Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi 19,960 Template:Increase 15.9

Ground transportationEdit

Inter-terminal transportationEdit

File:KLIA Aerotrain2.jpg
Aerotrain station in Satellite Building

The Aerotrain, currently out of service for repairs, is an automated people mover (APM) that connects the airside of KLIA Main Terminal Building (MTB) and the Satellite Building. Each 250-person capacity train can transport 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction at up to 56 km/h (35 mph). These three-car driverless trains run on elevated rail and under the taxiways. The journey takes under two minutes. The Aerotrain operates between three and five-minute intervals between terminal. Automatic train controls manage the operation of the entire Aerotrain system, controlling the speeds, headways, stops and door openings in stations, and integrating functions that enhance the reliability and performance of the system.<ref name="Kiat.net: Kuala Lumpur International">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

No airside connection currently exists between the Main Terminal Building and Terminal 2; connecting passengers must clear Malaysian immigration and customs checks before taking a landside transportation option (Express Rail Link, bus or taxi).

External connectionsEdit

RailEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is linked to the KL Sentral transportation hub in the city centre by the Template:Cvt long Express Rail Link (ERL). There are two ERL stations at the airport: KLIA station at the Main Terminal Building and klia2 station at Gateway@klia2.

BusEdit

Kuala Lumpur International Airport has bus terminals in both KLIA and KLIA2 building which serves local buses, city express and intercity express buses to various destination in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley and also various parts of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as shuttles between KLIA and KLIA2, terminals to Long Term Car Park and terminals to Mitsui Outlet Park. KLIA bus terminal is located on Ground Floor, Block C and KLIA 2 bus terminal is located on Level 1 of the terminal. Ticketing counters are present in the terminals.

Buses to the Kuala Lumpur city mainly goes to KL Sentral railway station and Integrated Southern Terminal bus terminal (TBS), both a prominent transport hub of Kuala Lumpur, as well as various other places like Pudu Sentral, Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Pekeliling Terminal. There are also buses to parts of other Klang Valley cities like Shah Alam (Section 17 terminal), Klang (AEON Bukit Tinggi) as well as Putra Heights LRT station. Popular providers are Aerobus, Airport Coach and Jetbus.

Intercity services are available to Penang, Ipoh, Yong Peng (central Johor), Johor Bahru, Malacca and Sitiawan (Perak). Local buses are also available to Nilai (walking distance to KTM Nilai) and Banting, with SmartSelangor free shuttle available to Banting, Tanjung Sepat and Salak Tinggi.

CarEdit

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is mainly served by tolless KLIA Expressway (Federal Route 26) which is an 11 kilometre direct road from KLIA Interchange of ELITE Expressway (E6) to both KLIA and KLIA2. The expressway also has connection to:

  • KLIA Outer Ring Road (Federal 27) to KLIA mosque and Sepang International Circuit
  • Labohan Dagang–Nilai Road (Federal 32) to Banting, Nilai and Salak Tinggi

The further end of the expressway leads to tolled ELITE Expressway, which connects it to the PLUS expressway networks (E1 North-South Expressway-North, E1 New Klang Valley Expressway and E2 North-South Expressway-South) which links to most of Klang Valley's major townships and further to Peninsular Malaysia's west coast states, to the extent of the border with Thailand and Singapore.

Expansion and developmentsEdit

PlansEdit

File:KLIAAeropolis.jpg
KLIA Aeropolis Masterplan

With the slight modification of the masterplan, the future Terminal 2's satellite terminal will be combined into one satellite terminal. The expansion of Terminal 2's satellite terminal will be exactly the same as Terminal 1's (the current Main Terminal) satellite terminal, where initially the satellite terminal will have four arms, and another four arms when the terminal reached its capacity. There is sufficient land and capacity to develop facilities to handle up to 97.5 million passengers a year, four runways by 2020 and two mega-terminals, each linked with satellite terminals.<ref name="KLIA Phases"/>

On 12 December 2024, Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that plans to expand KLIA are in the pipeline to cater for the increasing flight passengers. The proposal includes increasing the capacity of T1 from 30 million passengers per annum to 59 million and T2 from 45 million to 67 million. A fourth runway and a new terminal, T3 are also in consideration.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Summary of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Masterplan
Phase Year Description
Phase 1 1998 Initial capacity of 25 million passengers per annum
2006 Capable of handling 35 million passengers per annum with the construction of Low Cost Carrier Terminal
Phase 2 2008 Expansion of Low Cost Carrier Terminal to accommodate 40 million passengers per annum
Phase 3 2011 New Low Cost Carrier Terminal will be constructed to accommodate additional 30 million (55 million) passengers per annum, Current Low Cost Carrier Terminal converted to cargo usage.
Not fixed Satellite Terminal B will be constructed to handle a maximum of 75 million passengers. (One terminal accompanied by 2 satellite terminal and one low-cost carrier terminal.)
Phase 4 Not fixed Terminal 2 and Satellite Terminal C will be constructed so that the airport can handle 97.5 million passengers.

A380 upgradesEdit

The operator of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad, had spent about RM135 million (approx) to upgrade facilities at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang to accommodate the Airbus A380. KLIA is the only airport in Malaysia that accommodate the landing and take off of the A380. Upgrading works started on 3 April 2006, and was completed by 28 May 2007. Works include the provision of shoulders on both sides of the two existing runways of 15 meters as well as the taxiways, building additional aerobridges at the three departure halls, namely C17, C27 and C37, and enhancing the mezzanine lounges for upper deck passengers of the aircraft at the departure halls. Emirates is the only current operator of the Airbus A380 to Kuala Lumpur; its services commenced on 1 January 2012.<ref name="A380 Upgrade 1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Malaysia Airlines started its A380 services from Kuala Lumpur to London on 1 July 2012 before retiring the aircraft type at the end of 2018.<ref name="A380 Upgrade 2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:KLIA C-Pier.jpg
Panoramic view of Main Terminal Building and Contact Pier

Accidents and incidentsEdit

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  • On 8 April 2019, a bus carrying foreign workers crashed into a ditch near the MASkargo complex, killing 12 people (the driver and 11 passengers).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On 14 April 2024, a man detonated fireworks in KLIA and attempted to shoot his wife, but instead shot her bodyguard in the abdomen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Award and recognitionEdit

On 22 November 2024, KLIA was awarded Large Airport of the Year 2024 by Centre for Aviation (CAPA) for its exceptional connectivity performance in view of the strong regional competition, commitment to the development of major infrastructure and flexibility in servicing both full-fledged and low-cost airlines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

KLIA's Terminal 2 is voted 2024 best terminal for low-cost airlines in Southeast Asia and 7th overall in the world by Skytrax.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See alsoEdit

Template:Portal

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

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Template:Kuala Lumpur International Airport Template:Airports in Malaysia Template:Multimedia Super Corridor Template:Selangor

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