LETTER | KLIA: An embarrassing first impression

LETTER | With the reopening of our borders, Malaysia looks set to welcome visitors from all around the world. However, I wish to express my disappointment on what is happening at our main entry gate, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

As the country's largest entry point and the place first impression is made, KLIA is nothing but a representation of an old, weary and impractical airport.

Firstly, the condition and facilities of the airport look outdated. Floors are not polished, lights at the drop-off area are not working and the roads leading to the airport have faulty streetlights.

A few streetlights along Jalan KLIA are also broken. The tiny dimly lit white fonts on the blue signboards in the airport look obsolete.

Several travelators are partially working and the awful aerotrain has only one train working at a time. I understand plans to replace the aerotrains are underway but where are the signages and announcements for people to board the shuttle buses?

Now for the immigration, I'm lucky I'm able to use the auto-gate but I noticed the long queue at the manual immigration counters. It was chaotic with no staff to manage crowd control.

When I was at Toronto Pearson airport, many flights landed at the same time but the crowd control was smooth and efficient. But over at KLIA, it looked horrible. Where are the airport staff or guards?

Some travellers were not even sure where the queue starts. I saw many travellers getting lost trying to look for the immigration as there were inadequate signboards from the plane upon arrival.

Over at the KLIA international departure area at Gate L and the satellite levels, there were limited food and beverage offered to travellers. Vending machines are switched off. Travellers are forced to pay an expensive fee to enter airport lounges to eat and rest.

Act now, MAHB

Outside the KLIA arrival area, there are so many cars parked on the roadside which is causing congestion.

KLIA looks horrible and it's an embarrassing first impression visitors are getting of Malaysia. MAHB must do something quickly to upgrade KLIA.

Let’s start with simple things such as giving cosmetic makeovers for the signboards and improving the immigration experience which can improve the overall airport experience.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.