Tougher Competition for KLIA

According to Skytrax, the winner of the World’s Best Airport Award goes to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This is followed by Changi International Airport and Incheon International Airport. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was the 9th best airport in the world. Since most of these airports are in Asia, we will see a tougher competition after the implementation of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM). KLIA was divided into 2 terminals, which is the LCCT and the main KLIA terminal. LCCT is a low cost terminal designed specifically for low cost airlines.

According to Bernama Aviation the KLIA2 project, which is to expand the current LCCT, will be completed and commence operations in April 2013. With the estimated cost between RM 3.6 billion to RM 3.9 billion, the new LCCT will be able to cater for 45 million passengers per annum. This will then be an advantage for KLIA to be more competitive with the other World’s Best Airport in Asia. Since the market trend now shows an increase demand for low cost travel, it is essential for KLIA to provide facilities for low cost airlines. KLIA performance can be evaluated in certain aspects such as facilities provided, passenger comfort level, airport layout plan, and some other aspects.

The facilities in KLIA at the moment are equivalent to international standards. KLIA can even cater the Airbus 380, which is the commonly used largest passenger aircraft by airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates nowadays. But even though at the moment KLIA can cater the A380, the number of A380 that KLIA can cater at a time is still a small number. On the 1st of December 2011, Emirates will start to land its A380 in KLIA. This shows more demands for airlines to use KLIA as a destination for their A380. Without proper strategic planning to meet this demand by Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB), KLIA will surely lose to its competitors. Even though Changi International Airport is currently the 2nd best airport in the world, there are many future possibilities for KLIA to overtake Changi International Airport current position. Singapore is a small nation compared to Malaysia. Meaning future expansion of Changi International Airport are limited. With more facilities to cater for a larger passenger capacity and airlines would surely be an advantage for KLIA.

The passenger comfort level at KLIA is at the proper level. With various facilities provided to assist on passenger’s movement in the airport and waiting areas, it is surely an advantage for KLIA. Passengers can also shop and dine while waiting for their flight. KLIA approach of a jungle within an airport is also very comforting for passengers embarking and disembarking in KLIA. Passengers came to KLIA would want less waiting time to reach popular destinations. Even 1 hour would be a waste to them. This is where KLIA is lacking. A location that is far from popular destinations. For example, Changi International Airport that have several popular destinations near to the airport location. This is one of their advantages.
The airport layout plan should be able to minimize ground time for aircrafts and passenger movement. This is because, longer ground time for aircrafts does not just meant more cost for airlines, but also will effect passengers comfort level. The longer the aircraft on the ground would make passengers and even the pilots stressed out. Since human factors are one of the important aspects in flight safety, it is important for KLIA management, which is MAHB to look into this problem.

In conclusion, MAHB still have many opportunities to improve KLIA performance. With constant development to meet the demand of the industry, KLIA will surely be the best airport in the world.

Truly Malaysian Carrier

Malaysia is a nation located in the Asia Pacific region. It is a nation with full of cultural diversity. Being a nation with Malay culture, Indian culture, Chinese culture, Punjabi culture, Kadazan culture, Iban culture and the others all put in together inside one nation, is it relevant to say that Malaysia Airlines are truly a Malaysian carrier? Malaysia Airlines represent the nation on a global stage and must show all the cultural diversity of the nation. Looking back at the past, Malaysia is a nation that is populated by Malays. But time over time after the Independence Day and Malaysia got its name, the identity of Malaysia is not only on the Malay cultures but also all the other culture which makes Malaysia it’s own identity. Malaysia Airlines are currently promoting the Malaysian culture with the uniform of their flight attendants, in-flight food, the airline’s logo and even their tag line, which is “MH: Malaysian Hospitality”.

Currently the uniform of the steward are a white t-shirt, green slacks, a tie, and a coat. Isn’t that resembles the western identity? Yes, it is practical but still there are many more Malaysian fashion that could be the uniform for Malaysia Airlines stewards. Looking into the Malaysian culture there are so many fashion to choose from which are also practical for all the stewards in Malaysia Airlines. A mixture of Malaysian clothing design must be put into the creation of a perfect uniform for Malaysia Airlines flight attendants to promote Malaysia’s culture at the world stage. For the stewardess of Malaysia Airlines, the “kebaya” with a “batik” design is only showing the Malay side of the total Malaysian culture. This is not using the full potential of being a nation with such cultural diversity. Even the checks in staffs are using the same uniforms. Even so Malaysia Airlines can’t mix cultural designs into one uniform, Malaysia Airlines can still have different uniforms for every staffs according to their job scope. For example, by having “kebaya” for stewardess, cheongsam for check in staff, and Punjabi suit for ticketing all with one texture to show uniformity.

Only the in-flight food can show some of the Malaysian culture. This is such as the “Nasi Lemak with Sambal Prawn”, which is a signature dish for first class cuisine in Malaysia Airlines. The “Nasi Lemak” was a result from the mixture of various cultures. Malay, Indian and also Chinese cooking styles were put into one dish. But even though this can represent on what truly Malaysia is on the global scale, it is still not enough for a national airline such as Malaysia Airlines.

Since the airline logo was created a long time ago and it’s serves as the airline’s identity, changing it would be out of the question. But still the logo, which is a shape of a “Wau Bulan” one of the Malay’s cultural kite, does not show the true identity of Malaysia. For an airline with a tagline “MH: Malaysian Hospitality”, Malaysia Airlines should change in accordance with time to really show what is Malaysia in the world stage.

In conclusion, travellers now are more attracted to cultures, foods and scenery. So Malaysia Airlines should give them a sneak peak of Malaysia within every flight. Marketing consist of 4 P’s, which are Price, Place, Product and Promotion. So where is the promotion part when there are limitless possibility on promoting as a Malaysian carrier. Malaysia Airlines can make more profit by evolving in accordance with time.