Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL/WMKK), Sepang, Malaysia

Designed to be a regional hub, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is built with features that allow flexibility for future expansion. The development of KUL will be implemented in three phases.

A NEW AIRPORT FOR MALAYSIA

The planning and development of the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport at Sepang, Malaysia, began in early 1990 when it became evident that the existing Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport (formerly Subang International Airport) had limited expansion capability to meet the long-term increase in passenger and cargo demand. The government therefore decided to build a new airport at an alternative site to accommodate not only the rapid increase in air transport, but also to meet the growing demand of the tourism and services sector.

PHASE 1 (1993–1998)

Covering 100km² of land, Kuala Lumpur International Airport was completed in four and a half years with round-the-clock construction work (making it the fastest airport ever built), undertaken by an international workforce of 25,000 people at a cost of about $3.5 billion. The facility commenced full commercial operations on 28 June 1998

Phase 1 required the construction of facilities capable of handling up to 25 million passengers. The major facilities included two 2.5 mile parallel runways (4000m x 60m) and a mega terminal building with a satellite and 83 aircraft stands (contact and remote).

Sixty contact piers, 20 remote parking bays with 80 aircraft parking positions, one mega terminal, one satellite, two runways and other facilities are available to accommodate the throughput of 25 million passengers per year.

The runways will be on a staggered configuration 2,535m apart to allow for simultaneous operation. Equipped with category II navigational and lighting aids, they will be complemented by a taxiway system for the efficient and expeditious flow of aircraft on the ground.

The terminal building is designated for expansion in the next two phases. All domestic, Singapore and mixed flights will be served from a pier connected to the main terminal, while all other international flights will be served by a four-armed satellite building located in the main parking apron. An automated people-mover shuttle system will link the terminal and the satellite building. This system is designed for a maximum waiting time of five minutes.

PHASES 2 (2003–08) and 3 (2008–BEYOND)

Phase 2 will further expand the facility to be able to handle 35 million passengers per year by 2008. Further planned expansion will enable the airport to handle up to 45 million passengers per year by 2012. There is sufficient land and capacity to develop facilities to handle up to 100 million passengers per year, including four runways by 2020 and two mega terminals, each with two linked satellite buildings.

Once all three phases are developed, the airport's surroundings will include hiking trails for jet-lagged travellers, golf courses, a theme park, a shopping centre, hotels, a wetlands nature preserve and a track to host the 1999 Formula 1 motorbike racing championship.

MAIN TERMINAL BUILDING

The 241,000m² main terminal building houses customs and immigration counters, duty free and retail outlets and restaurants. The steel, timber-like ceiling is held up by conical pillars and flanked by shiny granite floors, large glass-paned walls and numerous check-in counters.

CONTRACTORS

KLIA Bhd is the airport's project developer, while Malaysia Airports Bhd (MAB) is the airport operator.

Sapura Poweraid supplied and installed a security system capable of surveillance and access control at over 1700 locations throughout the airport.