AirAsia's operation at klia2

This Monday, 9th June marks one month anniversary for AirAsia's family move to klia2 after more than nine years operation at LCCT.

An AirAsia A320 taxis past KLIA2’s unique skybridge, first in Asia. Credit to Bangkok Post.

Among the biggest shock from AirAsia is the klia2 fees MYR3 charged on behalf of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB). The actual cost of using the jet bridge is only 25 cents per passenger as per MAHB and AirAsia does not absorb these charges, but instead passes them on to passengers in air ticket since May 9. KVMRT: As far as concerned, the blame is on both sides at the expense of travelers.

Delays in baggage handling, parking bays changes and breakdown of self check kiosk are major hatchback faced by all airlines operating from/to klia2.

Gate allocation system, which was new to AirAsia and its unfamiliarity with the system had caused close to 200 gate changes on its first day of operations at klia2, resulting in great inconvenience to passengers. They managed to reduce the gate changes to less than 10 daily after working together with airport operator.

Slow baggage transfer from planes' cargo to the baggage claiming carousel triggered airport to deploy their own manpower to assist airlines with many aspects of operations.

KVMRT: Fair point should be given to AirAsia who is under constant attack from MAHB regarding earlier cost overrun and delay in completion for klia2. Aireen Omar, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia has taken extra ground work to ensure the operation is smooth and seamless travelling experience to passengers.

KLIA2 soft opening

Drive along KLIA Extension Highway, we shall noticed the new airport for our country, KLIA2 aka new LCCT.

The klia2 will welcomed its first landing flight from Cebu Air at 12.30 am, May 2.

Airlines operating in klia2 include: Malindo Air, Cebu Airlines, Tiger Airways and Mandala Airlines. (unconfirmed: AirAsia and AirAsia X)

Exterior view of klia2

Overview of check in counters of klia2.

International Departures entrance

The walking corridor of KLIA2

Signboard to Departures Gate and Sama Sama Express klia2 Hotel.

Services provided at klia2: Internet and Smoking Lounge

All the pictures above does not belong to My Rapid Transit. Credit to @AKaprawi

City taxis pick up from KLIA

On Wednesday, it was reported that taxi services at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will be expanded, under a new system to allow city taxis to pick up passengers.

The two-tier system featuring airport limousines and city taxis is to reduce the waiting period for passengers to under 10 minutes (previously 30 minutes to an hour). Demand for budget taxis, made up about 74% of all taxi demands at KLIA.

[KVMRT: Surprisingly, the limousines is far from reaching the demands which results to long wait.]

SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar at KLIA.

The airport receives about 9.3 million passengers yearly and is estimated to serve between 4,000 and 5,000 taxi trips daily.

Welcoming move: City cabs waiting for passengers at Level One of the KLIA main terminal building.

How to get a metered taxi at KLIA.
Step one: Passengers will be required to buy a RM2 coupon before they can join the queue to hire a metered city cab from the airport.

Step two: Proceed to Level One of the KLIA main terminal building to take a metered taxi.

Step three: Taxi marshals will check the coupons at the door and assign passengers to the taxi bays accordingly.

Article read: From tomorrow, city cabbies can pick up passengers from KLIA (The Star)