KUALA Lumpur is set to play a larger role as an aviation hub in Southeast Asia in the next 7 years, say RHB Research. The city is expected to handle some 82 million passengers by 2020 at its three airports, namely Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) and Subang Sky
KUALA Lumpur is set to play a larger role as an aviation hub in Southeast Asia in the next 7 years, say RHB Research.
The city is expected to handle some 82 million passengers by 2020 at its three airports, namely Kuala Lumpur International
Airport (KLIA), Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) and Subang Skypark.
RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd expects overall passenger traffic to grow by 12% , 2014, in view of the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY 2014).
“We see upside to our passenger forecasts, as growth will be fuelled by AirAsia Bhd's new hubs in Penang, Kota Baru and Kota Kinabalu, which are enjoying strong take-ups,” the research firm said recently.
In terms of airport infrastructure, KLIA will have a third runway ready by May next year.
“This will boost its total capacity (in terms of passenger traffic) to 72 million per year and ensures uninterrupted traffic growth over the long term.
“Kuala Lumpur has traditionally been an important aviation hub due to its strategic location in Southeast Asia, but more than this are the benefits of aggressive growth ambition of the local airlines, supportive government policies, low-cost operations and adequate infrastructure,” Maybank IB said.
"Overall, KL's operating costs are very competitive, and this helps in the development of the aviation hub and promotes it as the gateway to Southeast Asia," it added.