"'Malaysia's Subang can help nation leapfrog others as low cost hub'"

Saturday, January 15, 2005

'Subang can help nation leapfrog others as LCC hub'
Malaysia - The New Straits Times


BUDGET airline AirAsia Bhd said reopening the old Subang Airport would help
Malaysia's air transport sector leapfrog others in becoming a hub for
low-cost carriers (LCCs) on a cheaper investment.

AirAsia executive director Kamarudin Meranun said yesterday that Subang
Airport could be ready for LCCs before other LCC airports or terminals are
planned in the region.

"If given the opportunity, we can do the job (converting Subang Airport into
an LCC hub) in less than a year, or nine months perhaps," he said in an
interview.

He said this would be quicker and cheaper than two or three years and an
estimated RM1 billion to set up a brand new LCC terminal at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport.

"The infrastructure is already there at Subang Airport. We only need less
than RM100 million to refurbish aprons and build another runway." He said
Malaysia is in a position to spearhead the LCC sector in the region, ahead
of Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

"Singapore is developing a new LCC terminal at Changi Airport, while
Thailand is planning to turn Dong Muang Airport in Bangkok into one when its
new international airport is ready." The Government recently said Malaysia
would definitely have a hub for LCCs but its location will only be known
after Chinese New Year.


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