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.