Roberta Aguirre
Malaysia has 63 airports, 39 of which are in East Malaysia and 24 in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, 38 airports offer scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines, and seven are international airports. The busiest airport in Malaysia is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which has the longest runway in the country and is ranked as one of the five best airports in the world. KLIA is conveniently linked to Kuala Lumpur through a high-speed rail system. Other international airports in Malaysia include Melaka Airport, Subang International Airport, and Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
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What You'll Learn
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
KLIA is recognised as a mega hub and has been ranked as one of the five best airports in the world. It is one of Southeast Asia's major aviation hubs, with world-standard facilities and the capacity to accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft. The airport has three runways, all over 3,800 metres long and 60 metres wide, capable of handling 78 landings per hour. An ambitious three-phase development plan is in place, with the anticipation that KLIA will eventually have three runways, two terminals, and two satellite terminals, increasing capacity to 100 million passengers per year.
The airport's site spans 100 square kilometres of former agricultural land and is one of the world's largest airport sites. KLIA comprises three main buildings: the Main Terminal Building (MTB), the Contact Pier, and the Satellite Building. The Main Terminal Building is five storeys tall, covering 390,000 square metres, and houses the Departure Hall, Arrival Hall, and other airport facilities and services. The Contact Pier is an extension of the Main Terminal Building, with gates designated for domestic and international departures. The Satellite Building covers 176,000 square metres and houses international flights' departing and arriving halls.
KLIA offers a variety of services and facilities, including lounges, restaurants, hotels, duty-free stores, baby care rooms, a Muslim prayer hall, charging stations, shops, dining centres, and luggage-wrapping services. The airport is conveniently linked to the city through a high-speed rail system, with a travel time of approximately one hour.
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Melaka Airport
Malacca Airport, previously known as Batu Berendam Airport, is located in Batu Berendam, Malacca, Malaysia. The airport serves the state of Malacca and northern Johor and Negeri Sembilan. The airport has a 7,000 square-meter terminal complex, equipped with international-standard amenities, and can accommodate 1.5 million passengers annually. Malacca Airport has a 2,135-meter runway, capable of handling narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
The airport holds historical significance as its control tower guided the plane of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, upon his return from London in 1956. Tunku announced Malaya's independence from the United Kingdom in Malacca. The airport has undergone renovations to accommodate more airlines and improve its infrastructure.
In terms of facilities, the airport offers free Wi-Fi, restaurants, conference rooms, cafes, gift shops, taxi services, an event centre, wheelchair service, duty-free outlets, and staff assistance. It is one of the few airports in Malaysia providing e-Visa services to Chinese nationals since 2016. Transportation options include free shuttle buses and taxi services available outside the arrival hall.
When deciding which airport to arrive at in Malaysia, it is important to consider your destination within the country. For example, if hiking Mount Kinabalu is a priority, choosing Sandakan Airport (SDK) as your arrival airport would be ideal. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is another popular option, known for its high-speed rail connection to the city and variety of lounges, restaurants, and duty-free stores.
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Subang International Airport/Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
The Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, initially named Subang International Airport, is an important Malaysian airport located in Petaling District. Construction of the airport began in 1961 and was completed in 1965 at a cost of approximately RM52 million (then equivalent to $64 million). It was built on 535 hectares of land and was designed by architects Kington Loo and C.H.R. Bailey of the Booty Edwards Architectural practice. The airport featured an innovative and unique architectural design, including an iconic floating concrete shell roof supported by mushroom-shaped columns.
Upon its inauguration in 1965, Subang International Airport became Malaysia's primary aviation hub, serving both international and domestic flights. It replaced the Sungai Besi Airport, also known as Sempang Airport, which had previously served as the main airport for Kuala Lumpur. The airport's growth continued through the 1990s, with Subang handling a record 15.8 million passengers by the end of 1997. However, in 1996, the airport was renamed Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport after the then Sultan of Selangor, and its operations were transferred to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in 1998.
Despite facing operational challenges and disruptions due to fires in the 1990s, the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport remains a significant centre for general aviation and domestic flights. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate growing passenger numbers and operational demands. In 2023, the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP) was approved with the aim of transforming the airport into a major city aviation hub by 2030. The plan includes increasing the airport's capacity to handle up to 8 million passengers annually and creating thousands of job opportunities.
The Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport provides facilities and services commonly found in Malaysian airports, such as ATMs, a diaper-changing room, and a nursery. It serves as a hub for global flying hospitals and is easily accessible by taxi and rental services. The airport has a rich history and has played a crucial role in the development of aviation in Malaysia.
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Skypark at Subang International Airport
Malaysia has a number of top-tier international airports, and the airport you choose to arrive at will depend on your travel plans. If, for example, hiking Mount Kinabalu is a priority, Sandakan (SDK) airport is the best choice.
Skypark Terminal has a range of facilities, including a variety of F&B outlets, retail outlets, and service outlets. It also has comfortable lounges, duty-free shopping, and dedicated spaces for families and business travellers. The airport has ample parking spaces, and its proximity to major highways ensures smooth connectivity for passengers travelling by road.
The airport has undergone many improvements and renovations to keep up with the latest requirements. It has shifted from a focus on turboprop, helicopter, and private jet services to accommodating jet services, with upgrades to infrastructure and the terminal's floor area.
Skypark Terminal is also known for its convenience, efficiency, and personalised services, making it a popular choice for business travellers, tourists, and those seeking a boutique experience.
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Malaysia's 63 airports
Malaysia has 63 airports in total, including some of the world's busiest. The busiest airports are measured according to data presented by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, which includes the total number of departure, arrival, and transit passengers, for both domestic and international flights.
The busiest airport in Malaysia is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This airport is unique in Malaysia as it can facilitate the landing of the A380, and it also boasts the country's longest runway, at 4,124 metres. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is also the hub for the busiest international route from Malaysia, with over 255 flights weekly to and from Singapore.
The second busiest airport in Malaysia is yet another airport in Kuala Lumpur, this time the Kuala Lumpur Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). This airport is a major hub for domestic flights, with the Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu-Kuala Lumpur sector being the busiest domestic route in Malaysia, with over 160 flights weekly.
Other major airports in Malaysia include Penang International Airport (PEN), Kuching International Airport (KCH), and Johor Bahru International Airport (JHB). These airports handle a significant number of international and domestic flights, connecting Malaysia to the world and facilitating travel within the country.
With 63 airports spread across the country, Malaysia has an extensive aviation network that caters to the needs of both locals and international visitors, ensuring efficient and accessible air travel.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest airport in Malaysia is the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). It is also the busiest airport in Malaysia.
Malaysia has 63 airports in total, 39 in East Malaysia and 24 in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, 38 airports have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines. Other large airports include Sandakan (SDK) airport, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, and Melaka Airport.
If you want to go hiking on Mount Kinabalu, it is best to fly to Sandakan (SDK) airport.
If you want to stay in Kuala Lumpur, you should fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
