KL plans to bolster airport

KL plans to bolster airport

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia is looking for ways to turn its
main airport into a regional aviation hub, including strategies
to increase flight frequencies and improving operational and
service standards, a government-appointed economic body said
Monday.

The National Economic Action Council said the government has
appointed a private consultant to conduct a comprehensive study
to turn the 10 billion ringgit (US$2.63 million) Kuala Lumpur
International Airport into a successful regional hub.

The study will be completed within the next few months and
will include medium- and long-term strategies to increase flight
frequencies at the airport, the council said in a statement.

The council, which is a consultative body to Cabinet, said
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government will pursue
bilateral agreements to acquire additional landing rights, either
by increasing flight frequencies or opening up new destinations.

The airport now serves 41 international airlines. But four
carriers - All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Qantas and
Lufthansa - have reduced or suspended flights over the past two
years.