SUGGESTIONS that KLIA2, the new low-cost terminal at Sepang, near here, will cost RM5 billion because of cost overruns, appear to be misguided, say sources close to the project.
They said that costs could rise to RM5 billion if certain parties dictated terms to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to build additional facilities not in the current plan.
"As of now, everything is under control and the cost of construction will remain at RM3.9 billion," said one of the well-placed sources.
It was reported yesterday that Air Asia Bhd group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes claimed on his blog that there were talks that the bill to construct the terminal could go as high as RM5 billion and will be operational at earliest during the first quarter next year or possibly early 2014.
On claims that the airport will not be completed by its deadline of April 2013, the sources said that construction is on schedule and it is not a question of whether the airport will be ready on time but whether the operators of low-cost airlines can get their act together by then.
It is understood that certain systems for the check-in counters have yet to be submitted to MAHB although the deadline was June 15 this year.
In addition, there are also questions whether facilities undertaken by other parties (not MAHB) like hotels and office buildings will be ready by the second quarter of next year.
The sources said KLIA2 could have been completed this year if not for the last-minute requests by certain quarters which resulted in the extended schedule.
They said the costs had gone up from the original RM2 billion because of requests for additional facilities.
Originally, KLIA2 was to be only a two-storey building, but this has been increased to an equivalent of nine storeys, for a three-level terminal comprising separate departure, arrival and ground support equipment areas.
This means the gross floor area of the terminal building has been increased by 71 per cent to 257,000 sq m from the original 150,000 sq m.
The sources said the KLIA2 will be the world's largest purpose-built low-cost terminal, with a capacity to accommodate 45 million passengers annually.
They said it is being built at the lowest cost per passenger with aero- bridges and enhanced passenger convenience.
"With the aerobridges, passengers need not walk on the apron anymore," they added.
The sources said although industry standards dictated that 55 boarding gates will be sufficient to handle 30 million passengers annually, MAHB has accommodated requests to increase the number of boarding gates to 68.
MAHB has also made provisions for a fully automated baggage handling system although there has been earlier requests for a non-fully automated one.
To cater for higher passenger traffic, MAHB has also drawn up plans to accommodate the superjumbo Airbus 380 aircraft, as well as premium lounges, for enhanced passenger comfort.
Under its current construction plan, MAHB has provided for the construction of four hotels and a public shopping mall next to the terminal.
Bernama
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'KLIA2 will not cost RM5b' http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/KLIA22/Article/index_html#ixzz1zoflQ6Mv