30 August, 2011
The new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) or klia2 will mark the nation’s growth and leadership in aviation globally and serve as an economic stimulus for the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Monday.
He said that given the rapid growth of low-cost air travel, the new terminal brings the country many benefits such as job opportunities and boost tourism by attracting more airlines and visitors.
He expects klia2 to boost tourism revenue to RM168 billion by 2020 from RM53 billion recorded in 2009.
“With globalisation, providing the best air travel services and facilities without a doubt is an important catalyst to promote trade and investments into the country,” Najib said at the ground-breaking ceremony for klia2.
“In the New Economic Model implementation, I stressed on two factors, wealth creation and employment generation, and I believe that the construction of this new terminal stands to deliver the results outlined in the New Economic Model,” he said.
MAHB has anticipated the KLIA as whole to handle over 60 million passengers by 2020 and close to 45 per cent of those passengers are likely to be low-cost travellers.
Najib said the spillover effects of having this captive market at airports in the country is immense, from a commercial perspective.
“With MAHB? vision to be a world-class airport business, I am encouraged to know that besides operating top-notch airport facilities and services, there will also be ample retail and commerce opportunities that will allow Malaysian businesses to capitalise and benefit from the influx of tourists and spending power flowing continuously,” he said.
The prime minister is confident that the new terminal construction will surpass expectations, saying that it is poised to serve as a hub and attract more low-cost carriers to fly to Kuala Lumpur.
klia2, catering for 30 million passengers per annum, has the potential to expand for future growth and is expected to be completed in April 2012, based on a 20-month construction period.
Complimenting AirAsia for its innovative efforts to stimulate low-cost travel, Najib said while klia2 is designed with consideration for the requirements of the AirAsia, it will be accessible to all airlines upon completion.
He is confident that klia2 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of air transportation in Malaysia.
Source: Bernama, 30 August 2010.