Malaysian airports: Bring back AirAsia to save KLIA

2008/08/11

By : AZMI ATAN, Petaling Jaya

The Low-Cost Carrier Terminal is seeing a surge in the number of passengers while the Kuala Lumpur International Airport looks deserted.

I WISH to make a comparison. On a recent trip to Bangkok, I landed at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. It was a great experience. It was money well spent.

I got to enjoy all the facilities at the new airport and I feel this is what passengers, irrespective of what airline they are flying, should get.

When I compare this with the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal, I feel shortchanged.

Yes, the LCCT is built for AirAsia and other low-budget carriers. But look at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang. With all AirAsia flights originating and terminating at the LCCT, KLIA looks deserted.

Passenger volume is not at its maximum although the facilities at the airport are world-standard.
Compared with Suvarnabhumi, KLIA is rather quiet and too peaceful.

It would have been better if AirAsia returns to KLIA so that more people will be able to enjoy the facilities.

More passengers also means good business for the commercial outlets at KLIA.

I have accepted the fact that the return of AirAsia to KLIA is almost impossible, especially with the construction of the new LCCT.

I just hope that the new terminal will give the passengers greater comfort and better facilities.

We are humans and not robots. We want to enjoy good facilities and comfort.

We would love to see many shops and outlets and spacious waiting areas.

Yes, we pay a small amount as far as airport tax is concerned, but I wonder what the point is of having a big, modern and world-standard airport when most of the passengers and activities are centred at the LCCT?

I still harbour a small hope that AirAsia flights will one day originate and terminate at KLIA to make the airport relevant and make air travel via budget carriers like AirAsia more comfortable and worthwhile.

Source: NST