KLIA 2 WILL MARK MALAYSIA'S GROWTH IN AVIATION, SAYS PM NAJIB

SEPANG (Malaysia) Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The new low-cost carrier terminal
(LCCT) or KLIA 2 will mark the nation's growth and leadership in aviation
globally and serve as an economic stimulus for the country, Prime Minister Najib
Razak said Monday.

He said that given the rapid growth of low-cost air travel, the new terminal
brings the country many benefits such as job opportunities and boost tourism by
attracting more airlines and visitors.

He expects KLIA 2 to boost tourism revenue to RM168 billion (US$54.19
billion) by 2020 from RM53 billion (US$17.09 billion) recorded in 2009.

"With globalisation, providing the best air travel services and facilities
without a doubt is an important catalyst to promote trade and investments into
the country," Najib said at the ground-breaking ceremony for KLIA 2.

"In the New Economic Model implementation, I stressed on two factors, wealth
creation and employment generation, and I believe that the construction of this
new terminal stands to deliver the results outlined in the New Economic Model,"
he said.

MAHB has anticipated the KLIA as a whole to handle over 60 million
passengers by 2020 and close to 45 per cent of those passengers are likely to be
low-cost travellers.

Najib said the spillover effects of having this captive market at airports
in the country is immense, from a commercial perspective.

"With MAHB's vision to be a world-class airpost business, I am encouraged to
know that besides operating top-notch airport facilities and services, there
will also be ample retail and commerce opportunities that will allow Malaysian
businesses to capitalise and benefit from the influx of tourists and spending
power flowing continuously," he said.

The prime minister is confident that the new terminal construction will
surpass expectations, saying that it is poised to serve as a hub and attract
more low-cost carriers to fly to Kuala Lumpur.

KLIA 2, catering for 30 million passengers per annum, has the potential to
expand for future growth and is expected to be completed in April 2012, based on
a 20-month construction period.

Complimenting AirAsia for its innovative efforts to stimulate low-cost
travel, Najib said while KLIA 2 is designed with consideration for the
requirements of the AirAsia, it will be accessible to all airlines upon
completion.

He is confident that KLIA 2 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter
in the history of air transportation in Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA


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