I read some news reports about Malaysian government plans to build a new low-cost terminal to replace the existing one. I passed through the KL low-cost terminal recently and I completely agree that it's overcrowded and not extremely convenient transport wise. With AirAsia growth, AirAsia X long-haul plans and future budget airline growth in the region I think the new terminal is needed asap.
Here is the report:
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia is finalizing plans to build a permanent low-cost carrier terminal, replacing a temporary facility opened last year which budget airline AirAsia has rapidly outgrown, a report said Friday.
The no-frills terminal, a warehouse-style structure 10 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, has drawn complaints about overcrowding and a lack of facilities ever since it opened in March 2006.
Malaysia's airport operator said it had been designed to cope with 10 million passengers a year but the huge expansion of its main user, AirAsia, meant it had been overwhelmed.
Malaysia Airports Holdings managing director Bashir Ahmad told the New Straits Times that the operator was planning to build a new terminal able to handle 30 million passengers.
"We have identified the site which we believe will be ideal for low-cost operations and will also provide a link to the Express Rail Link," he said, referring to the airport train which goes to downtown Kuala Lumpur.
"We are in final discussions with the government to put these plans into effect," he added.
In the meantime, an expansion of the existing low-cost terminal is scheduled to begin early next year, to provide more space for food and retail outlets, and to accommodate wide-bodied planes, he said.
Bashir said the current site -- far from the rail link and the main international airport -- was chosen because it already had an apron to service aircraft, allowing the terminal to be completed in nine months.
"We meant it to be temporary because we knew that if low-cost travel continued to grow, we would need a new site and bigger facility," he told the daily.
Since then AirAsia has taken over domestic flights from troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines, and expanded into long-haul routes with sister carrier AirAsia X.
AirAsia is also pushing to be allowed to use Kuala Lumpur's original Subang Airport, which lies closer to the city.
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