By Stephanie Jacob
After two and a half years late and five notable opening date changes, Malaysia’s new low cost carrier terminal finally welcomed its inaugural flight in the early morning on May 2. Kinibiz was on hand to to witness the landmark moment and took the opportunity to check out the RM4 billion digs to get a first impression of the place.
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Slightly after midnight on May 2, a Malindo Air flight slowly taxied to a halt outside a terminal gate and was welcomed by celebratory music, a water salute and the cheers of the airport and airline staff. After two and a half years of delays, and five opening date postponements – klia2 was finally operational.
KiniBiz, along with other members of the local and international press joined the top brass of the Transport Ministry, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and the airline companies to observe the inaugural arrival and departure flights at the country’s new low cost carrier terminal (LCCT), klia2.
Here is our experience and first impressions of the RM4 billion terminal.
Arriving at the airport late at night on May 1, there was a sense of excitement even if there was not much of a crowd.
Most of those present comprised of the staff of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and that of the Malindo Air and Cebu Pacific Airways teams. Some were working but most were there to commemorate the landmark arrival and departure flights at the what is the largest purpose built low cost carrier terminal (LCCT).
Upon arrival KiniBiz took the opportunity to first walk around the attached mall, gateway@klia2. There is absolutely no missing the mall, as the entrance to the airport takes you through the mall first, as does entering through the parking areas.
Aside from a few eateries, most of the 200 outlets were closed save for the few in which construction and other preparation work was being completed. Glancing at a mall directory, Kinibiz noted a wide range of shopping options – including fashion boutiques, digital and gadget stores, healthcare outlets and even a supermarket.
The gateway@klia2 is both a mall and a transportation hub. Along with about 350,000 square feet of retail space, this portion of the complex also functions at the terminal’s public transportation hub. This is where the ERL link stops for klia2 and is also where the taxi and bus services also arrive and depart at this entrance.
Looking forward a few months to when operations are in full swing in and out of klia2, KiniBiz anticipates that there might be some frustration during peak hours when there is a large amount of foot traffic.
The area could get congested when the mall is busy with newly arrived passengers and shoppers moving between the stores while other travellers are trying to move quickly to the actual terminal to catch a flight. MAHB will have to ensure that this is managed so that passengers are not frustrated as they head to the check-in counters.
Moving on into the main hall, which is where the check in and baggage drop counters are, KiniBiz encountered the first batch of actual passengers and the families who were there to see them off on their travels.
Some passengers seem to be enjoying the excitement, and they took in the occasion with many taking pictures of the airport and observing the media who were doing interviews and capturing footage. Others meanwhile just wanted to move through the check-in process and on to their respective gates for their flights.
The inaugural flight departing from klia2 was a Cebu Pacific Airways flight to Manila and there were several counters open process the passengers on this flight, however some lines were moving quite slowly, with one counter especially working at a slower pace than the rest.
One passenger who spoke to KiniBiz was visibly irritated, and said that while he understood that there was excitement over the first day of operations, he wished that the check-in process would move along more smoothly. He noted that he had been in the line for about an hour and that this had never happened to him before although he was a frequent flyer.
The lady standing in front of him concurred and said that she too had been standing in line for about an hour. Though she said that she felt that it was only her line in particular that seemed to be moving particularly slowly. Commenting on the terminal itself however, she said that she was impressed and she liked the look of it. She added that unlike the old LCCT, this one did not look low cost.
The issue slowing the checking in appeared to be down to the fact that some of the staff at the counters were still getting used to the systems and software in place.
Shortly after this, the media were taken into the departure hall and on to the gate to wait for the arrival of the Malindo Air flight, which was coming in from Kota Kinabalu.
Also at the gate, were the deputy minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi; MAHB MD Bashir Ahmad; director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandra Ramamurthy and other staff from the Transport Ministry, MAHB and Malindo Air.
Shortly after midnight, word went around that the flight had landed and the crowd shifted their attention to the apron, cameras at the ready.
Finally the plane taxied into view and turned towards the gate to the cheers of those in the airport and a water salute on the tarmac. The dignitaries then moved to the entrance of the aerobridge to be to greet the first passengers and welcome them to klia2.
First of the plane was Patrick Teoh who was quickly surrounded by the press wanting to get a soundbite. The Kuala Lumpur based businessman, who was returning home after a business trip appeared tired but took it all in stride – readily answering questions and helpfully handing out his name card for those asking for his details.
Teoh noted that the trip had been smooth and comfortable, and there appeared to be no hitches along the way right up to disembarkation at klia2.
Also the centre of much attention was the flight crew, captained by Daud Othman. The captain said that the flight had gone smoothly, and that communications with the control tower and ground staff at the new terminal had been smooth and well executed.
“Communications with the tower was fine and the whole thing was handled well,” adding that it was an honour for him and his crew to have been the first aircrew to land at the airport.
He said that he had also attended MAHB’s klia2 public open day the Sunday before and was impressed by what he saw. Daud noted that from his experience he believed that the facilities were of international standard, and that important aspects of the airport such as the runway was up to mark safety wise.
As the passengers moved on towards the baggage claim area, the media were invited to a press conference.
At the press conference, MAHB MD Bashir highlighted that the airport had a capacity of 45 million passengers, and that they expected to see around 22 million per annum at first.
Deputy transport minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi meanwhile called the opening a historical moment in Malaysian aviation history and said that it is proof that the government kept its word to the people. Last year, acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein assured that public that the terminal would not be delayed any further and would be opened on May 2.
He also confirmed the cost of klia2 saying that the terminal “was between the budget of RM4 billion”.
Bashir concluded the conference by emphasizing that the terminal was indeed purpose built for low cost carriers, but added with a smile that “this is an airport for low cost carriers. But, it is a nice airport!”
From Kinibiz’s own walkabout, this reporter would tend to agree that visually the airport does indeed look good.
However whether or not in runs efficiently and becomes the aviation hub that many hope, will depend largely on the ability of MAHB as the operator and the various airlines to work together to provide the best service available to the 22 million or more passengers expected to travel through klia2 this year.
Yesterday: AirAsia needs klia2 more than it lets on
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