Langkawi International Airport’s Expansion Completed, Opened For Operations

By Anthony Tan

VIRGIN Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Construction started in October 2017

The Langkawi International Airport (LIA), which underwent for an upgrading since October 2017, has been completed and reopened for full operation on 1 September. 

With this expansion project, LIA has increased its airport capacity from 1.5 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 4 mppa.  

The expansion project sees an increased in total gross floor area (GFA) of the terminal building from 15,000 to 23,000 sq m, thus giving it a comfort level of 22 sq m per passenger.

This has allowed the airport to provide more options for retail, F&B and services outlets. Some of the established brands such as Plaza Premium Lounge, Toast Box, Costa Coffee, Burger King are present here.

One of the must do when in Langkawi is to take ride on the Sky Cab to peak of Machinchang, to get a 

panoramic view of the west coast of Langkawi among the cloud 

Raja Azmi

The terminal facilities have also been upgraded to reduce congestion and improve operational efficiencies.

The number of counters at passenger touchpoints have increased from 24 to 30 check-in counters and from 14 to 18 immigration counters.

Now equipped with In-Line Hold Baggage Handling System, an automated system with three levels of security screening, this will allow for more efficient check-in process at LIA.

Other upgrades include increasing the number of boarding gates from five previously to eight.  Meanwhile, existing washroom facilities have also been added and refurbished.

Wider driveway for drop off and pickup for passengers

The airport’s carpark has been expanded from 400 parking lots to 600 to reduce congestion at its arrival and departure drive way.

LIA’s ambience has been spruced up considerably in line with its status as an international gateway and increasing arrivals and departures to Langkawi as a popular tourist destination.

With the completion of LIA, Langkawi will be ready to welcome about 3,000 delegates from the Asia Pacific region for the PATA Travel Mart

Pleased with that LIA’s expansion project was completed on schedule, Malaysia Airports acting Group Chief Executive Officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin anticipates the airport will be better positioned to support Langkawi’s growth as a popular tourist destination and act as a catalyst to its economic development.

Spacious and more seats at boarding gates

“On a larger picture, it will also strengthen the country’s position as a preferred global hub,” adding that LIA’s expansion was in line with Malaysia Airports’ aim to enhance airport experience for airport users and elevate service levels at all its airports.

“In 2017, LIA registered 2.7 million passenger traffic movements with 14.6% increase in international passengers.

“As year-to-date June 2018, international passenger traffic movements increased by 23.9% compared to the same period in 2017.”

Confident that this expansion will further facilitate LIA’s growth, Raja Azmi says, “We are already seeing more interest from foreign airlines to operate from here.

More space and increase in the numbers for check-in counters 

“Currently, there are six airlines operating from LIA to four domestic destinations and five international destinations with combined weekly frequencies of 238.” 

The old section on the right and the extended new section on the left