TAKEOFF POINT
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd is working closely with the government to ensure domestic airports have sufficient capacity to support passenger traffic and future expansions, says acting group chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin.
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and the government are working closely to ensure that domestic airports have sufficient capacity to support passenger traffic and future expansions.
Acting group chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin said airports were vital to the development of the country, especially in attracting and providing highvalue businesses and employment.
MAHB is also establishing Malaysia as the Digital Free Trade Zone transshipment hub and fulfilment ecosystem with the first phase the KLIA Aeropolis development.
Raja Azmi said the infrastructure development support was essential to realise the government’s ambition to transform Malaysia into a key sourcing and fulfilment hub for the global marketplace.
Airport developments, such as infrastructure enhancement and digital innovation, are also important to drive connectivity and tourism as well as high-value investments.
He said the expansion could either be full capacity or pursued in phases, depending on the passenger growth forecast for the specific airport.
He added that some airports might not require a full expansion right now while others might require more investments.
Raja Azmi said airport development was a multidecade exercise and the master plan needed to be updated accordingly.
“The master plan sets out the kind of growth path and type of expansion that we (MAHB) want
The master plan sets out the kind of growth path and type of expansion that we (MAHB) want to do at all our airports in Malaysia. RAJA AZMI RAJA NAZUDDIN
Malaysia airports Holdings Bhd acting group chief executive officer
to do at all our airports in Malaysia.”
The company has initiated the Airports 4.0 initiative, a comprehensive seamless digitalisation of airport operations to take on increased passenger capacity.
“There are a lot of automation works in Airports 4.0 that MAHB will invest in. We want to do more with the same infrastructure.
“We have some time to take on more growth with the same infrastructure, provided by efficiency and automation at our airports.”
Raja Azmi said the initiative would cater for short-term growth but the decision on airport expansion was required for mid- and longer-term growth.
He said MAHB would continue to discuss with the government the funding model and mechanism for airport expansions.
“Nevertheless, as the operator, our role is to manage the airport, provide facilities and upgrade existing equipment to cater for the growth,” he added.
The International Air Transport Association said global passenger demand for air travel was expected to double to 6.7 billion in 2036.
It also said air passenger growth was shifting to East and South from traditional growth areas like Americas and Europe.