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MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has invested RM30 million in enhancements at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA T1) during the first half of 2025, in a move aimed at significantly improving passenger experience and operational efficiency ahead of a projected spike in air traffic.
This initiative marks the first major overhaul of KLIA since the group’s privatisation in February and comes in anticipation of Malaysia hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit in October and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
KLIA T1 general manager of operations, Abd Hasman Abd Muhimim, said the 14 new enhancements are part of MAHB’s broader strategy to elevate the airport’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rating and improve its standing in global Skytrax rankings.
“For these enhancements, we do not set any budget cap. We will continue to invest in upgrading all facilities at KLIA,” Bernama cited him telling reporters during a media walkabout.
He noted that KLIA had handled 30.1 million passengers in the first half of 2025 — a 9.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Among the major upgrades are five mobile open-belt check-in units capable of handling up to 10 times more baggage per hour than conventional counters, dramatically improving baggage processing efficiency.
Domestic security lanes have been reconfigured with extended trays and designated unpacking zones, effectively doubling throughput from 770 to 1,569 passengers per hour, with average wait times now under five minutes.
For international departures, six manual counters have been replaced with nine self-scanning boarding pass lanes, each equipped with step-by-step digital guidance to expedite processing and reduce queues.
To improve inclusivity, MAHB has introduced two priority immigration lanes for the elderly, families with children, pregnant women, and persons with reduced mobility.
Emergency preparedness has also been enhanced through the deployment of three paramedic teams on e-scooters equipped with trauma kits, oxygen tanks and defibrillators — stationed strategically across the main terminal and satellite building.
Passenger comfort upgrades include the replacement of 5,000 trolleys with lighter, strap-free models featuring brake systems for safer use. MAHB has also converted 54 parking bays into 36 wider, family-friendly lots located closer to terminal entrances.
Accessibility improvements encompass the refurbishment of 80 public washrooms with wider entrances, sensor-operated taps, and emergency buttons, alongside the provision of 100 complimentary wheelchairs across the terminal.
New facilities for families include two themed nappy-changing rooms with baby cots, hot-water dispensers and private feeding areas, with three more to be completed by August.
To enhance cultural representation, two large murals depicting Penang and Melaka heritage now adorn Piers H and G, while a new orangutan-themed playground has been installed at Gate C30 for young travellers.
MAHB says the upgrades form part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring a seamless, inclusive and welcoming experience for all passengers - July 15, 2025
