AIRASIA Group will be shifting its Malaysian operations to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) budget terminal now that the ICAO has given the facility’s safety standards the stamp of approval.
The company said earlier this month it would not relocate to the new terminal, named klia2, due to a number of safety and security issues, as well as the potential rise in airport charges and passenger service charge (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 2, 2014).
Since then ICAO has submitted its report to Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, verifying that the LCC terminal that will begin operations on May 2 is structurally safe and in compliance with requirements and safety standards.
Acting transport minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, said the operational readiness and airport transfer testing will continue until the end of this month.
AirAsia Group this morning announced it would begin operating from klia2 on May 9, with the exception of a number of domestic flights to Kuala Lumpur departing in the evening that will arrive at klia2 on May 8. A number of international flights arriving in the evening of May 8 will land at klia2.
On the other hand, AirAsia X flights departing early morning of May 9 to Perth, Osaka, Busan and Jeddah will still use the current low-cost carrier terminal.
According to an AirAsia release, affected guests will be informed via email and SMS about the change of airport.
Andy Muniandy, director of sales and business development at Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, said ICAO’s approval on safety standards will give confidence to travellers and the travel trade.
He added: “The new airport will also project a positive image of the country and increase the comfort level of travellers as the current low-cost carrier terminal is crowded and at peak times, there is no place to sit.”
