Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport
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Name	Kuala Lumpur International Airport
IATA	KUL
ICAO	WMKK
Owner	Government of Malaysia
Operator	Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
City-served	Greater Kuala Lumpur
Location	Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia
Opened	27 June 1998
Hub	AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, World Cargo Airlines
Metric-elev	21
Coordinates	2, 44, 44, N...
Website	https://www.klia.com.my

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the primary international airport serving Malaysia and its capital region of Greater Kuala Lumpur. Officially opened on 27 June 1998 by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, it replaced the overburdened Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. Strategically located approximately 45 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur in the Sepang District of Selangor, it is a major aviation hub for Southeast Asia and the home base for the national carrier Malaysia Airlines and low-cost giant AirAsia.

History

The airport's development was a cornerstone project of the Mahathir Mohamad administration, conceived during Malaysia's rapid economic growth in the early 1990s. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, its masterplan embodied the "Airport in the Forest, Forest in the Airport" concept, integrating extensive greenery within its structures. Construction began in 1993, managed by a consortium including Hazama Corporation and JA Jones Construction, and was completed at a cost of approximately RM 9 billion. Its opening coincided with the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, showcasing Malaysia's modern infrastructure to the world. Since inception, it has undergone significant expansion, including the 2014 opening of the dedicated klia2 terminal for low-cost carriers.

Facilities

The main terminal, known as Main Terminal Building (MTB), features a striking Islamic-inspired design with large glass walls and a forested central courtyard. It houses the state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control tower, one of the tallest in the world. The airport complex includes the Airport Hotel located within the MTB, extensive duty-free shopping operated by Eraman Malaysia, and a Plaza Premium Lounge. Cargo operations are handled by the adjacent Free Commercial Zone, facilitating trade for companies like DHL Aviation and MASkargo. Other key amenities are a prayer room, a Sama-Sama Hotel transit hotel, and the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge.

Terminals

The airport operates three main passenger terminals: the Main Terminal Building (MTB or Terminal 1), klia2, and the Subang Terminal (for private and turboprop services). The MTB processes full-service airlines and features contact stands and remote bays serviced by aerobridges and apron buses. klia2, one of the world's largest purpose-built low-cost carrier terminals, is the operational base for AirAsia and features a lengthy pier design. The terminals are connected by the Aerotrain automated people mover system and a high-speed rail link via KLIA Ekspres.

Airlines and destinations

As a major global hub, it hosts over 60 passenger and cargo airlines connecting to destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa. Key full-service carriers include Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines. The dominant low-cost carrier is AirAsia, with its extensive ASEAN and international network. Other significant operators are Batik Air Malaysia, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. Major cargo airlines utilizing the facility include Cargolux, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines.

Ground transportation

The airport is well-connected to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya via the dedicated KLIA Ekspres high-speed rail service and the commuter-style KLIA Transit line. Road access is provided by the North–South Expressway and the Elite Expressway. Numerous express bus services, operated by companies like Aerobus and Star Shuttle, link the airport to major urban centers. Taxi and ride-hailing services, including Grab, are available, and long-term parking is provided within the airport precinct.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record since its opening. One notable incident occurred on 1 March 2022, when a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 (registration 9M-MTA) overran the runway after landing; there were no fatalities. The investigation was led by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia and Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The incident did not result in significant operational disruption to other flights from carriers like Singapore Airlines or AirAsia.

Future developments

Long-term expansion plans are outlined in the KLIA Aeropolis masterplan, aiming to develop the surrounding area into an aviation-linked economic zone. Proposed projects include the expansion of klia2, enhancements to the Main Terminal Building, and increased capacity for cargo operations to compete with hubs like Singapore Changi Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport. These developments are managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad under the oversight of the Ministry of Transport. Category:Airports in Malaysia Category:Buildings and structures in Selangor Category:1998 establishments in Malaysia