Airports getting ready to welcome influx of international passengers

SEPANG: Malaysia Airports is ensuring that all its international airports are ready to receive the influx of international passengers into the country once borders reopen on 1 April 2022. Yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on the country’s transition into the endemic phase and the subsequent announcement made today by the Health Minister, YB Khairy Jamaluddin on the required safety protocols for entry into the country are welcome news for the nation’s main airport operator. The airport operator has been continuously working with the authorities including the Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve the process flow at the airport especially for the arrival process. In doing so, passenger feedback over the last several months are also taken into consideration so that passenger experience can be as smooth as possible while their wellbeing is being safeguarded.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, said that he is appreciative of the collaborative effort taken by MOH to engage the airport operator and other key stakeholders in coming up with the safety protocols, “The efficiency of safety protocols at the airport is a key focus area because it plays a major role in ensuring a pleasant passenger processing experience. Most passengers would not have travelled by air since the pandemic started, and therefore may be unfamiliar with the additional steps now required at the airport.”

“We need to ensure that they have a good impression of Malaysia the moment they step foot on our soil and this first impression will be formed at the airport. The availability of the COVID Protocol portal launched by YB Khairy will be a great help in facilitating the arrival process as passengers can now get updated information from one single source.”

“We are looking forward to seeing good growth in our international passenger and aircraft traffic movements as this would contribute significantly to the Group’s and airport community’s business performance. Among others, inbound tourism will also be rejuvenated and the spillover effect throughout the entire value chain will benefit Malaysia’s economy positively,” he added.

Among steps taken by Malaysia Airports to ensure airport readiness include deploying more customer experience staff on the ground, as well as installing more signages and seats across the terminals for better passenger convenience and comfort. Additionally, more than 22,000 members of the airport community have been fully vaccinated. The airport operator would like to remind all passengers and airport guests to continue adhering to all safety protocols for the benefit of the public at large.