Border reopening: KLIA, klia2 all set to receive visitors

SEPANG: The country's main gateway the KL International Airport (KLIA) is ready to receive arrivals, handle aircraft and travellers when the country's border reopens tomorrow (April 1).

A check by Bernama at the main terminals of KLIA and klia2 today found that the staff at the airports were making thorough preparations including aspects of enforcement, compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) and security control.

Business premises such as restaurants, fast food outlets, convenience stores, souvenir and chocolate shops also appear to be operating at full capacity.

SOP compliance reminders and warnings on illegal taxis or "ulat teksi' were also heard through the public address system on a regular basis.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd Corporate Communications Division general manager Nik Anis Nik Zakaria said the number of flights that will arrive and depart from KLIA will be officially announced tomorrow.

"Currently, we are scheduling and obtaining information from all airlines," she said.

AirAsia, one of the major airlines operating from klia2, said it will be handling 12 international flights tomorrow, from Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines and India.

The first AirAsia international flight to land at KLIA2 tomorrow will be AK52 from Bengaluru, India at about 6.20 am.

On March 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the country's borders would be reopened from April 1 in line with the country's plan to enter the transition period to the endemic phase of COVID-19.

Fidani Factory assistant supervisor Azwana Mohamad said the shop selling chocolates at klia2 had increased the number of employees to accommodate the expected increase in visitors.

"Previously, the store closed from March 18, 2020, and we only resumed operations in early 2021. Sales dropped and we had to sell chocolates online to cover costs. After this (April 1), it is hoped that the yield will increase like before the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.

The Doctor2u kiosk, located at the KLIA2 departure hall, offers COVID-19 screening services as needed including RT-PCR real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RTK-Ag (antigen rapid testing).

Doctor2u staff Boris Wong Jung Zhang said that currently, his department receives an average of between 20 and 30 travellers who want the services and the number is expected to increase starting tomorrow.

"We will monitor the arrival of travellers who want COVID-19 screening tests at the kiosk for two days starting tomorrow and will increase staff capacity as needed," he said.

Airport Limo (M) Sdn Bhd's limousine driver at KLIA, Abdul Razak advised travellers to use a legitimate travel service by shopping at the counter provided on the 3rd floor (arrival hall).

"This is to avoid being duped by illegal taxi services who are expected to take advantage when many tourists arrive," said Abdul Razak, who has been an airport limousine driver for 20 years.

-- BERNAMA