Study Shows KLIA Ranks As The 8th Worst Airport In Asia
The best airports are in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam.
While Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was once listed among the best airports in the world in 2021, a recent study now ranks it as the 8th worst airport in Asia
Business Financing collected data based on Airline Quality to rank airports globally by continent and country, based on average ratings from business travellers.
According to the ratings, KLIA shared the 8th worst ranking with Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.
Image via AP/Vincent Thian/CNA
Travellers criticised KLIA for its poor design on Airline Quality, citing long queues, extensive walks to terminals, and a lack of comfortable facilities as major issues.
They also complained about the cleanliness of the terminal and dim lighting, with some describing it as rundown.
Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait ranked the lowest with a rating of 1.69, making it the only airport in Asia with fewer than two stars
Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan took second place with a rating of 2.62, followed by Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz International Airport in third place with a rating of 2.72.
Business travellers expressed dissatisfaction with unpleasant odours and unprofessional, slow boarding processes at the Kuwait airport.
Coming in first place as the best airport in Asia is Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam (6.8). This is followed by Changi Airport, Singapore in second place (6.63) and Hong Kong International Airport (6.48) in third place.
According to a report by the New Straits Times last year, the Transport Ministry stated that upgrades to KLIA are expected to begin in 2026, once the terminal capacity reaches 90%.
Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) reportedly enlisted a consultant in 2019 to undertake a master plan study for KLIA, covering a 30-year period until 2050.
"Based on passenger movement projections by MAHB, the capacity at Terminal 1 will be reached in 2030 while Terminal 2 will be reached beyond 2030," the ministry said in the Dewan Rakyat in June 2023.
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