Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, about
50km south of the nation's capital of Kuala Lumpur, sprawls over
an area of 10,000 hectares. This mammoth airport is one of the
largest in the world, and also one of the most advanced. It is
positioned to be the preferred regional hub and transit point
linking the world to the rest of Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific.
KLIA forms the southern tip of Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor
(MSC), and showcases state-of-the-art airport technology as one
might expect from a facility within the MSC.
Use
of leading edge technology, such as the Total Airport Management
System, fully automated baggage handling and reconciliation system,
tracked passenger transit system, and moving walkways, is aimed
at reducing walking distance and transfer time for passengers.
MASkargo's
Advanced Cargo Centre within the KLIA is a benchmark in terms
of precision, reliability, safety, efficiency and speed of cargo
handling. KLIA's 120m high air traffic control tower, reputedly
one of the tallest in the world, directs departures and arrivals
on the twin 4,000m long runways. The airport is designed to manage
7,130 passengers, both domestic and international, during peak
hour. KLIA will serve approximately 25 million passengers a year
and this number is expected to increase to 60 million by the year
2020. Additionally, 1 million tonnes of cargo is estimated to
move through KLIA annually with further increase in capacity possible.
KLIA
is also evidence of Malaysia's rich natural heritage. Here, high
technology and modern architecture are intertwined with glimpses
of the Malaysian rainforest. The intentional use of indigenous
flora in the airport landscaping (a "forest in the airport" ),
combined with real forests surrounding KLIA (an "airport in the
forest" ), creates a green spectacle, soothing and calming tired
travellers.
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