Airasia must relocate from KKIA'S 'land-locked' terminal 2, says MAHB

KOTA KINABALU: Low-cost carrier, AirAsia, has to relocate its operations to Terminal 1 of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) from its current location at Terminal 2.
Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said this was because Terminal 2 no longer had room for expansion.
"It is a 'land-locked' area, which means there is no more space to expand the terminal, left or right," he told reporters after the official opening of KKIA's Terminal 1 here today.
Terminal 1 was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who, in his speech, said that traffic at Terminal 2 was congested with the increased number of passengers arriving at the terminal.
Badlisham said as part of the synergy for the airport's operation, Terminal 2 would be converted for cargo operations as well as general aviation.
"A lot of people want to use that space (Terminal 2) not only for cargo operations but also for private planes that need parking facilities.
"There is only nine aircraft parking bays at Terminal 2 while here (Terminal 1) there are 25," he said, adding that parking bays at Terminal 1 would be increased by another 16.
Therefore, commercial airline operators should also maximise the usage of Terminal 2 for other economic benefits.
"So, we hope the Transport Ministry will issue a firm instruction for all airlines to relocate and use the facilities provided at Terminal 1," he said.
Badlisham also said there was a masterplan to look into expanding KKIA to accommodate 16 million passengers, annually, from nine million currently.
"This has been in discussion with the Sabah state government for many years and our stand is that it is better to have an integrated terminal for both full service and low-cost carriers.
"It is about connectivity and will draw even more passengers come into a hub like Sabah," he said.
Badlisham said MAHB would also provide RM10 million to Sabah Tourism Board to aggressively carry out marketing and promotional activities together with airline companies. — Bernama