Sepang, 10 November - Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (Malaysia Airports) today unveiled its highly-anticipated retail proposition for its next generation hub, klia2, urging retailers to work together with it to shape new trends in travel retail shopping. Addressing close to 400 potential retailers, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said that that Malaysia Airports' objective is to leverage on the popularity of low-cost travel and transform klia2 into a destination that provides opportunities for leisure, shopping, tourism, business opportunities and employment.
Said Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad: " klia2 is designed to maximize on its present and future commercial value. It will be the standard bearer of future low-cost carrier terminals to come, changing the face and concept of low-cost terminals. Together with AirAsia, AirAsiaX and other low cost carriers, we will help to transform KLIA and klia2 into a successful major regional hub for Asia-Pacific.
"Malaysia is well poised to take pole position in the
race for a more substantial share of the low-cost travellers'
wallet size. After all, we are home to one of the
world's largest and the most successful low-cost carrier
airlines. In presenting the klia2 brand value, Senior
General Manager - Commercial Services of Malaysia Airports
Puan Faizah Khairuddin revealed that klia2 will be a
technology-driven, shopper-oriented travel and lifestyle hub
infused with a youthful culture. "In klia2, we are creating
an exciting retail adventure that embodies a new and
differentiated retail experience; where services are a step
ahead, facilities are future-oriented, offerings are robust
and experience unforgettable. "klia2 is not just an
airport. It is an airport in a mall designed to
maximize commercial offerings. klia2 boasts of one of
the highest percentage of retail space offered by any
commercial airports and will be the ultimate travel retail
platform to showcase brands, products and services.
"klia2 will offer both the space and facilities to
accommodate huge numbers of passengers. A klia2
retailer can expect to be part of a thriving shopping scene
that will see a projection more than RM1.2billion in sales in
the first year alone," said Puan Faizah.
According to a survey undertaken by Malaysia Airports on
low-cost travellers, 67% of travellers are between the ages
of 22 to 44 travelling an average of once every two
months. Additionally 43% of the travellers are white
collar with high disposable income and the average amount of
time they spend at the airport is two hours. All in
all, these are premier travellers that would be passing
through klia2 and there is a huge opportunity to tap on the
potential of these travellers.
Puan Faizah revealed: "Our aspiration is to change the
mindset of these travellers, making them realize that their
vacation begins and end at klia2. We want to engage
them and give them an experience that is ELITE -
Experiential, Liberating, Innovative, Thrilling and
Ever-changing - so that they will keep coming back to find
out more.
In short, we want them to be 'Be Curious.' "The commercial spaces will be designed for success, balancing the needs of retailers and customers. We will work together with retailers to stimulate customers' senses and empower them to do things their way. Opportunities will be there to maximize on technology, marketing platforms, trends and services," added Puan Faizah. klia2 will offer 225 commercial lots for retail, F&B and services. Its offerings will be in the form of Bars and Island Cafes, Duplex Storefronts and Duty-free Walkthrough. Additionally, the new hub will incorporate a Movie and Sports Lounge and a Kids' Zone providing retailers with more thematic or destination retail approach.
"Hence, klia2 is designed to maximize its present and
future commercial value. It will be the standard bearer
for future low-cost carrier terminals and, together with
KLIA, it is set to change the landscape of the commercial
real estate for Malaysia Airports.
"Indeed, there is no better time than now to be part of the
most exciting travel retail destination of the future.