Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur
吉隆坡国际机场
கோலாலம்பூர் அனைத்துலக விமானநிலையம
IATA: KUL - ICAO: WMKK
Summary
Airport type public
Operator Malaysian Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd
Serves Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Elevation AMSL 71 ft (21 m)
Coordinates 2°44′44″N, 101°42′35″E
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14L/32R 13,530 4,124 concrete
14R/32L 13,288 4,050 concrete

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malay: Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur) (IATA: KUL, ICAO: WMKK) is Malaysia's main international airport and is situated in Sepang district, in the south of the state of Selangor, about 50 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Built at a cost of some USD 3.5 billion, KLIA was inaugurated on 27 June 1998. Its slogan was Bringing the World to Malaysia and Malaysia to the World.

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd and is the hub for Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia.

Contents

[edit] History

Satellite building at night
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Satellite building at night
The Check-in counters
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The Check-in counters
Roof design in the Departure area
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Roof design in the Departure area

The planning of KLIA began in 1990 when the government decided that the existing Subang International Airport (now Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) would not suffice to handle future demand. Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad was a prime driver behind the project, which was seen as an important component of the Multimedia Super Corridor.

The decision was highly controversial on multiple grounds. The location, over 70 km from Kuala Lumpur was viewed as inconvenient; the price tag, and its ballooning from original estimates, was steep; and critics alleged that, contrary to the government's assertions, Subang could still be expanded. Indeed, work on Subang continued simultaneously with KLIA's construction. Subang's new Terminal 3 was opened in December 1993 and Terminal 2 was refurbished in 1995, only three years before KLIA's opening.

The inauguration of the airport on June 27, 1998 — one week before the new Hong Kong International Airport — was marked with significant problems. Aerobridge and bay allocation systems broke down, queues formed throughout the airport, and baggage handling broke down badly, with lost bags and waits of over five hours. [1] Most of these issues were sorted out eventually, but the baggage handling system continued to be plagued with problems and was finally put up for a new complete replacement tender in 2006.

The airport also had to contend with the East Asian financial crisis that had started in 1997, which decimated passenger traffic in Malaysia and the region. Passenger growth was initially negative and airlines that had started flights to KLIA, including All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa and Northwest Airlines, soon terminated their services due to unprofitability. The first phase of the airport was designed with a capacity of 25 million passengers per year, but 1999, the first full year of operations, saw only 13.2 million. [1] However, traffic did eventually increase and 21.1 million passengers were recorded in 2003 — although this, too, fell short of the original estimate of 35 million by this year.

Since 2000, KLIA has won numerous awards, the latest among others in 2006 were, "Best Airport in the 15-25 million passengers per annum category in the AETRA 2005 results" and "Third place for both Best Airport Worldwide and Best Airport in Asia/Pacific categories in the AETRA 2005 results".

The name Kuala Lumpur International Airport was previously used as an alternative name for the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) in Subang.

[edit] Future plans

KLIA Masterplan Map
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KLIA Masterplan Map
  • Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, a new runway and a new satellite building will be constructed to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. However, this is still under planning stage.
    • Phase 2 (2003-2008): To handle 35 million passengers per annum by 2008.
    • Phase 3 (2008 and beyond): Further expansion of the airport to handle 45 million passengers per annum by 2012.
  • In November 2006, the Malaysian government announced that it had approved in principle the construction of a rail link between the Main Terminal Builing and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007. There were however no details of which company would carry out the project, nor was there an indication that it would be directly connected to the existing airport high-speed train KLIA Ekspres.
  • There has also been a proposal for a monorail link to the F1 circuit.
  • There is sufficient land and capacity to develop facilities to handle up to 100 million passengers a year, four runways by the year 2020 and two mega-terminals, each with two linked satellite buildings, which means a total of 2 mega terminals and 4 satellite buildings. Once all three phases are developed, the airport's vicinity will include hiking trails for jet-lagged travelers, golf courses, a theme park, a shopping center, hotels, and a wetlands nature preserve. Sepang International Circuit, which hosts Formula 1 and MotoGP races, is also nearby.

[edit] Design

Kompleks Bunga Raya - A VIP complex
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Kompleks Bunga Raya - A VIP complex

KLIA was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The airport was designed using the concept of Airport in the forest, forest in the airport, in which it is surrounded by green space. This was done with the co-operation of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. An entire section of rainforest was transplanted, roots and all, from the jungle and put in the middle of the satellite building.

The airport is designed to handle up to 100 million passengers per year. Despite its size, it is designed to disperse human traffic to all corners of the building, with a simple layout and effective signage that in Malay, English, Mandarin, Japanese and Arabic. Facilities for disabled passengers also meet world standards. Futhermore, it has Automated People Mover and Travellators to allow quick and easy movement in the airport.

[edit] Infrastructure and facilities

The runways and buildings cover an overall site of 100 square kilometres, and with its 75 ramp stands, it is theoretically capable of handling 100 aircraft movements at any given time. There are 216 check-in counters, arranged in six check-in aisles. The airport is the first in the world to use the Total Airport Management System (TAMS) — although the system was blamed for the airport's teething troubles by Transport Minister Ling Liong Sik. [2]

[edit] Air traffic control tower

KLIA Control Tower with Main Terminal Building
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KLIA Control Tower with Main Terminal Building

The 130 meters high tower is currently the second tallest air traffic control tower in the world, after New Bangkok International Airport's control tower. Shaped like an Olympic torch, it houses the air traffic control systems and radar equipment.

ATC frequencies:

  • Lumpur Clearance Delivery - 126.00 MHz
  • Lumpur Ground - 121.65 MHz, 121.80MHz, 229MHz
  • Lumpur Tower - 118.50MHz, 118.80MHz, 229MHz
  • Lumpur Approach - 119.45MHz
  • ATIS - 126.45Mhz

[edit] Runways

KLIA has two parallel runways. Both runways are over 4,000 meters long and 60m wide. Each runway also has 10 taxiways with the taxi time ranging from 2.1 minutes to 10.8 minutes. The two full-service runways can handle 120 movements per hour when one runway handles taking off and one runway handles landing. Each runway is also equipped with one completely parallel taxiway along with a second parallel taxiway. The runways at KLIA are to be upgraded in order to accommodate the Airbus A380. Future expansion of the KLIA Master Plan includes the addition of another two runways.

[edit] Baggage Handling System (BHS)

KLIA's conveyor belts
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KLIA's conveyor belts

KLIA's baggage handling system 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.

  • 8 short-term carpark baggage check-in counters
  • 8 bus & train stations baggage check-in counters
  • 3 stage baggage security screening system
  • Early check-in baggage storage (1,200 bags capacity)
  • 12 baggage reclaim carousels
  • 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

The present system, built by Toyo Kanetsu, has been plagued with frequent breakdowns ever since inception [3], and in 2006 the airport announced that a new contract for a total replacement had been awarded to Siemens. [4] Cases of theft from checked-in luggage have also been reported frequently, and in 2006, eight airport workers were convicted of luggage theft. [5]

[edit] Fire and rescue

Fire Station at KLIA
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Fire Station at KLIA

Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS) are provided to cope with aircraft accidents occurring on or in the immediate vicinity of KLIA Sepang.

  • Fire Station 1, built on 170,000 sq feet has total floor area of 11,400 sq ft with steel structures consisting of 2 floors.
  • Fire Station 2, built on 60,500 sq feet has total floor area of 12,900 sq ft with steel structures consisting of 2 floors.

There are 7 Ultra Large Foam Tender (0 x 0) vehicles costing RM 3.8 million each, 1 Command and control, 1 Turntable ladder, 1 First-aid vehicle, 2 Water tenders, 1 Officer-in-charge vehicle, and 1 Rescue tender in use.

[edit] Air Cargo

The KLIA Advance Cargo Center covers 108 acres of land and can handle one million tonnes of cargo per annum, with the capability to expand to 3 million tonnes/year. The Center is designed as a integrated transshipment hub within a Free Commercial Zone. Facilities include:

  • Container Storage System (CSS)
  • Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS)
  • Automated Electrified Monorail
  • Airside Interface Deck
  • Conveyor system
  • Breakdown and buildup workstations
  • Bridge vehicles and cranes
  • Odd-sizes storage space (OVS)
  • Unit Loading Devices Storage Yard
  • X-ray machines

[edit] Animal Hotel

Main Article : Animal Hotel

KLIA claims the world's first "six-star" animal hotel for pets and livestock to use during stopovers in transhipment.

[edit] Terminals

Interior of the Main Terminal.
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Interior of the Main Terminal.
Interior of the Satellite Terminal.
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Interior of the Satellite Terminal.

The Passenger Terminal Complex (PTC) was built with an emphasis on allowing natural light into the building. Thus, there is a huge expanse of glass throughout the building, and the spectacular roof has cut-outs for natural light to filter in. The PTC comprises three buildings - the Main Terminal Building, the Satellite Building and the Contact Pier. Besides the 80-room hotel at the Satellite Building, there is a 450-room 5-star Pan Pacific KLIA hotel a 5-10 minute (indoor) walk away. Regular (free) buggy services are also available to the Pan Pacific. Shopping spots are available on an area encompassing 85,000 square metres.

The Main Terminal Building and Satellite Building are connected by Aerotrain, a three-car driverless train that runs on elevated rail and under the taxiways at three to five minute intervals. The journey between terminals takes under two minutes, and each 250-person capacity train is able to transport 3,000 passengers per hour per direction.

[edit] Main terminal building and contact pier

The main terminal caters for the departure and arrival of domestic flights (except AirAsia). There are a total of 216 check-in counters, 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. There are 61 and 69 immigration counters for departing and arriving passengers respectively, 16 transfer counters and 32 customs counters as well as 12 baggage carousels (10 for international passengers and 2 for domestic passengers).

Facilities within the terminal include:

  • Auto Teller Machines (ATMs) - Maybank, EON Bank and RHB Bank.
  • Information counters and information kiosks with touch-screens.
  • Fitness Centre
  • Business centres
  • Showers, sauna and spa
  • Surau (Muslim prayer rooms)
  • Nursery and childrens' play area
  • Feature Display Area - A small area located at the Departure Level of MTB which displays pictures and information on KLIA features and the chronology of KLIA.
  • Post office
  • Health/medical services
  • Passenger Assistance Centre
  • Dining outlets
  • Quiet rooms
  • Shopping
  • Smoking areas

[edit] Satellite Building

Aerotrain station in Satellite Building
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Aerotrain station in Satellite Building

The building accommodates international flights departing and arriving at KLIA. Passengers have to travel to the Satellite Building via the Aerotrain.

[edit] Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCC Terminal)

The first purpose built Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) was specifically built at KL International Airport to cater to the growing passengers of the Low Cost Airlines, especially the passengers of Malaysia's first "no-frills" airline, AirAsia. Construction of the LCC Terminal was on a fast-track basis beginning June 2005 at an approximate cost of RM 108 million.

The 35,290 square-meter terminal is designed and built to suit the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) business model that requires only basic terminal amenities, with no travellators, escalators or aerobridges provided.

The LCCT is located on the opposite side of the apron from the Main Terminal Building, near the air cargo area. By road, the LCCT is about 20km from the Main Terminal Building. The LCCT is connected with the Main Terminal Building with a green-coded NadiKLIA bus for RM1.20. The Malaysian government announced in November 2006 that it had approved in priciple the construction of a rail link between the Main Terminal Building and LCCT. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2007.

[edit] Ground transportation

Connections to Kuala Lumpur are possible via KLIA Ekspres train (RM35 one way), taxis (approximately RM60), and by bus.

[edit] Rail

Main articles: KLIA Ekspres, KLIA Transit

Two Express Rail Link services (ERL) run to KLIA:

[edit] At KLIA

Main article: KLIA ERL station
  • KLIA Ekspres station is on the first floor of the Main Terminal Building.
  • KLIA Transit station can only be accessed from the third floor (arrivals) of the Main Terminal Building, despite being on the first floor.

Feeder buses currently ferry passengers between the Main Terminal Building and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal.

[edit] At KL Sentral

Main articles: KL Sentral
  • KLIA Transit station in KL Sentral is located at the main Transit Concourse at Level One and not at the KL CAT.

[edit] Taxis & Limo

Airport Taxis or Airport Limo is provided by Airport Limo. The coupons for taxi and limo can be obtained at the 3 counter located at :

  1. The International arrival area just after Customs before the public arrival area, level 3, Main Terminal Building
  2. The Domestic arrival hall area by the door 3, level 3, Main Terminal Building
  3. The Domestic Baggage Reclaim area, level 3, Main Terminal Building
  4. The counter staff of Airport Limo will be there to assist you.

There are 4 types of taxis :

  1. Budget taxi: Daewoo Tacuma Capacity 3 / 4 Passengers; Proton Wira, Capacity 3 Passengers.
  2. Premier Limo: Renault Enviro, 4 / 5 Passengers; Mercedes E220, Capacity 4 Passengers.
  3. Super Luxury: Jaguar S-type, Capacity 3 Passengers.
  4. Family Service: Kia Pregio Van, Capacity 8 Passengers.

[edit] Bus

Buses to KLIA Main Terminal

1. Airport Coach

  • Express Coach (From Hotels in KL via Hentian Duta)
  • Express Coach (From Sri Petaling LRT Interchange)
  • Semi Express ( From Nilai KTM Station)

2.KR Travel and Tours

  • KR Travel and Tours (From Nilai KTM Sation via LCC-T)

3.Triton Bus

  • Express Coach (From Ipoh)
  • Express Coach (From Kuantan)
  • Express Coach (From Temerloh)

Buses to KLIA LCC-T

  • SkyBus ( KL Sentral-LCCT-KL Sentral)
  • Nadi KLIA (KLIA Main - LCCT - KLIA Main)
  • KR Travel and Tours (Nilai KTM station-LCCT)

[edit] Airlines and Destinations

The airport is the main hub for Malaysia Airlines, and one terminus of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore air shuttle operated by both Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Airlines serving this airport include:

Departure and Arrival building.
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Departure and Arrival building.
AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft at contact terminal
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AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft at contact terminal
Departure lounge with large windows for light and aircraft viewing.
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Departure lounge with large windows for light and aircraft viewing.

[edit] Main Terminal Building

  • Lion Air (Jakarta, Surabaya)
  • Malaysia Airlines (Alor Star, Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan, Langkawi, Miri, Penang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tawau)

[edit] Satellite Building

[edit] Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)

  • AirAsia (Alor Star, Angeles City, Bandar Seri Begawan, Bandung, Bangkok, Bintulu, Chiang Mai, Denpasar/Bali, Hanoi, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan, Lahad Datu [Starts 8 January 2007] [11], Langkawi, Macau, Medan, Miri, Padang, Palembang, Pekan Baru, Penang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Sandakan, Sibu, Siem Reap, Solo, Surabaya, Tawau)
  • Cebu Pacific (Manila)

[edit] Cargo Airlines

The following cargo airlines also serve the airport:

[edit] Previous users

[edit] Incidents

  • In 2001, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 aircraft suffered nose damage as it entered a monsoon drainage ditch while it was being taxied from the hangar to the gate before a return flight to Saudi Arabia. None of the six crew members on board at the time were injured.

[edit] External links


Panoramic view of Main Terminal Building and Contact Pier
Panoramic view of Main Terminal Building and Contact Pier



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