My next review is about an airport in my home country. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of the international airports in Malaysia. This airport had been built on 1998 as part of the government project to host our first Commonwealth Games and also one of the mega projects for the MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor). The main objective and slogan for this airport was to bring the world to Malaysia and Malaysia to the world.
As what I know, the cost to build this airport is around £1.25 to £2.00 billion pound. And during early construction of this project, many Malaysian (especially the opposition party MPs and members) don't like this project because they said that this project is one of the project that wasting lots of Malaysian People's money. But now, I think most of Malaysians think differently from what the opposition had claimed.
This is because, Kuala Lumpur City and all surrounding satellite cities had become more well organized especially in traffic and rail system.
Since the new airport was opened to public, I had used this airport so many times especially when I was studying in MARA University in Shah Alam (Capital State of Selangor). And Shah Alam is about 20km from Kuala Lumpur. I'm using KLIA facilities every time I want to go back to my hometown located in Kuala Terengganu.
The town that is located at the east coast of Malaysian Peninsular and about 230 from Kuala Lumpur. And as one of the frequent user of this airport, I would like to tell all of you on what I feel with this airport and also I will give some information that maybe useful to all of you that are planning on coming to Malaysia using this airport.
+++++++ Location +++++++
Although the airport's name is Kuala Lumpur International Airport, actually the location of this airport is not in the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territories. KLIA is located in the State Of Selangor Darul Ehsan, and situated in Sepang District. KLIA actually is about 50km from Kuala Lumpur.
KLIA was build to replace the old airport that is located is Subang Jaya Satellite City that is about 10km from Kuala Lumpur City. The reason why this airport is build so far from the city centre is because the government vision to make Kuala Lumpur City more organized due to expansion of Kuala Lumpur City and all surrounding satellite cities in Klang Valley.
I still remember when one of our minister said that he don't want Kuala Lumpur to be like Rio de Janeiro. He refers to the condition of the city of Rio de Janeiro that is too big and too crowded with "everything".
+++++++++ The Airport +++++++++
KLIA was design by the Japanese Architecture and being build by KL International Airport Ltd. As what I had mentioned before, it is located at the Sepang District and this place is used to be a huge palm oil plantation area.
And for those who haven't see a palm oil plantation before, it looked like a well organized rain forest that is so peaceful and fresh. So the people that want to build this airport want to make this as an inspiration to the new airport.
This airport theme is using the concept of the "airport in the forest and forest in the airport". And all the airport area is surrounded by green plants. On making this theme successful, the KL International Airport Ltd had make an co-operation with Malaysian forest research group which is known as Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and they transplanted all types of rainforest trees from the rain forest and put at this airport.
"This airport size is around 100 square kilometres and has about 220 check-in counters. And it is arranged in six check-in isles. This airport is the first airport in the world that is using Total Airport Management System (TAMS). The magazine is also stated that it has a control tower measuring at 425 feet (130 metres)." "At the time of construction, this was the tallest airport control tower in the world. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is aiming for a height of 433 feet. This would make the KLIA control tower the second-tallest control tower on the targeted completion of the Suvarnabhumi tower in 2006.With its 75 ramp stands it is theoretically capable of handling 100 aircraft movements at any given time." (Taken from the KLIA Magazine)
One of the main elements that are used for the interior design of this airport is glass. You can see the glass almost all over the airport such as glass wall and others. You can also see the entire aeroplanes, and also the main important of the airport, that is the forests.
On my opinion, the reason why most of the airports walls are made from glass is because to use as much natural light as possible. This can also reduce the electricity cost of the airports and also can make the airport brighter. If you are waiting at departure hall, you can see the aeroplane that you will fly with.
There are 3 main buildings of the airport. There are, Passenger Terminal Complex that is the main check-in area for all international and domestic flights, Main Terminal Building (domestic building) and also Satellite Building (international building).
The Satellite Building located at the middle of the airport and connected with the Main Terminal Building using an aero train. An aero train is a driverless train that runs every 3 to 5 minutes between two main buildings. The maximum capacity of the aero train is 250 people.
Each two building has its own tax free outlets. BUT I SUGGEST YOU NOT TO BUY UNLESS YOU ARE JUST TRANSITING TO KLIA. This is because when you are out of the airport, you can see that the price is cheaper although the products are taxed products.
By the way, tax free product such as cigarettes taste different from taxed cigarettes. But remember… smoking kills! :-P
But now, there is a brand new sub terminal just for the Low Cost Airline named Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) that is just beside the KLIA. There are shuttle bus facilities available from KLIA to LCCT to KL Sentral. But there will be a train connected directly from the KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur City.
+++++++ Facilities +++++++
The airport combines the business, entertainment and relaxation within one place.
• Business o There are lots of tax free shops and outlets that are available within 3 main building. Other than that, there are also restaurants, bistros, cafes and fast food restaurants that offer you varieties of local and international food.
• Entertainment o There are free high speed wireless internet connection to the entire airport user and also there game arcade and indoor playground for the kids to play.
• Relaxation o I think you can relax and have a rest almost at all place in the airport. The green environment of the rain forest is a plus for this airport and there are also prayer rooms for the Muslims. o There are also 5 star hotel available beside the airport. Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International are available that can give you a decent service and very friendly service. o There are also transits hotel in the Satellite Building that have 80 good quality rooms to all the airport user that using the airport as their transit to their next destination.
++++++++++++++++ Attraction Near KLIA ++++++++++++++++
• Sepang F1 Circuit o For the people that like to see Formula One Race, this is the opportunity to see the great race at this Formula One Race Track. Sepang F1 Circuit located very near to the airport and for your information the ticket to see the F1 race is among the cheapest in all F1 Tournament. Other than that, there are also Motor Grand Prix race, Japanese GP race etc are available every year at this circuit.
• Multimedia Super Corridor o Multimedia Super Corridor or well known as MSC is one of Malaysian mega project to build Malaysia's first Silicon Valley. This area is a place where all the knowledge, research and information being bind together into one place using the latest information technology. There are also lots of universities and colleges available in this area.
• Putrajaya o Putrajaya is Malaysia's New Administrative State and it is one of Malaysia's mega projects to reorganize Kuala Lumpur and all the Satellite Cities in Klang Valley. This city is just like Washington DC in United States and it contains all the ambassador's buildings, high commissions buildings, and other main government building. There are also the place where Prime Minister Home and Headquarters located, plus the very beautiful lakes, bridges, Putra Mosque, and other building such as shopping complex and others.
• Main Cities o KLIA is surrounded by 4 Major Cities Kuala Lumpur Seremban Shah Alam Malacca Putrajaya
o Surrounded by 6 Satellite Cities Petaling Jaya Subang Jaya Cyberjaya Bangi City Subang City Kelang City
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How To Get To Kuala Lumpur from KLIA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The main gateway to Kuala Lumpur after the KLIA is the KL Sentral. KL Sentral is a building where all the public transport available (especially rail system). KL Sentral is the exchange points for 1. Putra Light Rail Train (Tube/Metro but in well known as Putra) 2. Star Light Rail Train (Flyover Tube) 3. KL Monorail 4. KTM Commuter Train 5. KTM Express Train 6. KLIA Express Train 7. Buses (outside the building) 8. City Taxi (outside the building)• KLIA Express Train o The KLIA Express Train terminal is located inside the airport and it is very easy to find. And it cost about RM35.00 for one way ticket that is around £5.00 it is the fastest way to get to Kuala Lumpur without worrying about the traffic jams. I don't remember how long the journey would take but I would reckon it is about 28 minute or 30 minute… I don't remember the exact duration. But the train time is always right in time.
• KL Limousine o This is just a taxi that is specifically for the airport user and it is not that long 24 doors that you always seen in UK every Friday night :-P…. it is cost about RM80.00 that is around £11.00 and I cant promise you that the taxi will reach Kuala Lumpur on time because traffic jam in Malaysia can make you mad!
• Airport Bus o This is the cheapest way to go to KL and its cost around RM 8.00 that is £1.20. But same like taxi, we can't predict the traffic in Kuala Lumpur and the bus will stop either at Duta Bus Station or KL Sentral. You can ask the driver is you are not sure about that.
p/s: I suggest you to take a train…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What I Don't Like With This Airport +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• Price Of The Foods o If I compared this airport's food price with other airport in the world, I think the price is "unbelievable". The price is almost 8 times higher than outside the airport. I just buy it if I get really hungry….
• Toilet Cleanliness o Now, the authority had taken a serious measure due to many complaints that had been raised regarding the cleanliness of the toilets. Now the government had made a new regulation so that the people will keep the toilet clean. o By the way, the reason why the toilet in Malaysia is not too clean is because the climate of Malaysia. Because it is too hot, it promotes the growth of bacteria and germs to produce bad smell faster than other cold climate country although air condition is working. Plus the people that don't know how to use the toilet properly had made the toilet even worst. o Now the problem is not too serious.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Things that need to be in mind when you reach KLIA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• Illegal Taxi Driver o When you are at the arrival hall, I am sure that there will be many people that will ask you where to go and then offered you a taxi for you. DO NOT GET ANY TAXI FROM THEM…. Or else you will end paying up a higher taxi fares because they don't use taxi meter. They use their instinct on how much to charge you. o 10 metres before you arrive at arrival hall, there will be a note telling you try not to get taxi using an illegal taxi driver. If you need a taxi, there will be a limousine counter in front of the arrival hall. You will see the counter as soon when you arrive at the hall. Most of the limousines are Proton and Mercedes Benz Car and all in white in colour. So make sure you take a right taxi…If there are any changes on what I did mention just now, please refer to the limousine counter….
+++++++++ Conclusion +++++++++
In my opinion, the airport is very comfortable and very modern in design, I am sure that you will have a great time there and I did travelled a lot and as for me this airport is very unique compared to other airport that I ever been. I would suggest you to stop at this airport!
Hope you will get as much information as possible and hope you will rate and comment my review… and feel free to read other review in my Ciao profile… Thank You Very Much! -harris :-)
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