KKIA POISED TO BECOME A HUB FOR SHOPPERS

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Kota Kinabalu International Airport
(KKIA) is poised to become a hub for shoppers with its wide range of duty free
products and excellent service standards, said Chief Minister Musa
Aman.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of East Malaysia Sabah state.

He said travellers could enjoy these privileges within a conducive and
comfortable environment.

Commending the shopping campaign initiated by Malaysia Airports and launched
here Tuesday, he said it was an admirable effort as it was an excellent way of
welcoming both local and foreign visitors.

Musa said the Sabah government viewed this as a positive development to
boost tourism industry in the state.

"This campaign is an innovative way to promote the new international airport
in Sabah's capital as a lifestyle centre. In fact, Sabah is a state that is rich
with natural wonder and beauty as well as cultural heritage.

"These are some of the reasons travellers from around the world are drawn to
Sabah and even Malaysians from other parts of the country are starting to make
Sabah their destination of choice," he said in his speech at the launching of
KKIA Spend and Win Shopping Campaign, here Tuesday.

His speech was read out by Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussin. The
KKIA shopping campaign offers chances to win RM55,000 in cash prizes.

"This initiative will also help boost the local economy, which will create
more opportunities among the people of Sabah," said Musa.

Earlier, senior general manager operations of Malaysia Airports Azmi
Murad said the contest was organised to further encourage shopping and dining at
KKIA as well as to enhance the airport shopping experience.

"This is also a medium for us to reward shoppers at the airport.
Furthermore, we would like to enrich the airport experience of travellers and
turn KKIA into a lifestyle hub," he said.

Azmi said KKIA, Terminal 1 was currently undergoing expansion to accommodate
not only the increase in volume of travellers but also to create a comfortable
and conducive airport environment.

"Phase 1 of the development plan of Terminal 1 had been completed in August
last year. Phase 2 is due to be completed by end of the year," he
said.

He said KKIA was the second busiest airport in the country after KLIA with
passenger movements recording an increase of 6.5 per cent last year as compared
to 2007.

Azmi said on completion of Terminal 1, the new KKIA would be twice its
original size.

-- BERNAMA