Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Encyclopedia
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport , LTSAAS (formerly Subang International Airport), often called Subang Airport or Subang Skypark, is an airport located in Subang
, Selangor
, Malaysia, and primarily serves general aviation
and some turboprop
domestic flights. Although plans existed to convert the airport into a low-cost carrier
hub, the change was opposed by Subang Jaya
residents. Before the 1998 opening of the KL International Airport in Sepang
, the (then) Subang International Airport served as Kuala Lumpur
's main airport. Subang Airport is currently the hub for Berjaya Air
and Firefly
commercial turboprop services.Transmile Air Services
is the only other non-passenger non turbo prop aircraft landing and utilising Subang Airport Terminal 2. While heavily opposed by Ara Damansara residents of the noise of the jet engines, Transmile still operates out of SZB servicing DHL and other local hubs.
– KL shuttle flights by Singapore Airlines
and Malaysia Airlines
, and Terminal 3 for domestic flights. Toward the end of service, the airport suffered at least two major fires that forced traffic to be diverted to other airports. By the end of 1997, Subang Airport had handled 15.8 million passengers.
In July 2002, AirAsia began flying from KLIA, and in 2004, AirAsia
considered utilising the airport as a primary hub in Malaysia. However, the plan was rejected and the Malaysian government now plans to turn the airport into an international conference centre.. Since Firefly started operations in the airport, AirAsia has been lobbying the government to allow AirAsia to use Subang Airport. As of December 2007, the government still maintains its policy of only allowing general aviation and turbo-prop flights out of Subang Airport.
The airport underwent renovation works at Terminal 3 from February 2008 and was finished in October 2009. Terminal 3 was renamed to Subang Skypark.
's main gateway to several Malaysian holiday destinations, including Pulau Tioman.
Transmile Air Services
a national cargo carrier chose Subang Airport as their main cargo operation center, Several companies offer chartered flights and helicopter services from the airport. One of the largest FBO (Fixed Base Operator) in the region (with covered hangar space of more than 100,000sqft), Dnest Aviation Services is also based in this airport. Their newest hangar boast a "first of its kind" infrastructure capable of taking in either a 737 BBJ or A319 ACJ and 2 basement floors directly underneath it with ample of office space, lecture rooms, carpark and a cafeteria. A number of flying clubs are also located at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport, the most famous of these being Subang Flying Club, Elite Flying Club, Eurocopter(An EADS Company), ESB Flying Club(Eurodynamic Sdn Bhd). With Eurocopter, the airport servers as a maintenance and support facility for Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
helicopters.
The main headquarters of Malaysia Airlines
is in Subang, consisting of administrative departments & its maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary, MAS Aerospace.
Another MAS subsidiary, Firefly
also operates a fleet of ATR-72 out of Subang.
Apart from that, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport was to be a hub for Global Flying Hospitals
, but the humanitarian medical charity made the decision to close down Malaysian Operations, stating that the elements to make the correct formula for the GFH model were not present.
, Subang Skypark will serve private aviation while Malaysia Airports will serve Berjaya Air
and Firefly Airlines
. Subang Skypark recently signed a lease agreement with Malaysia Airports for the land in the Airport in Langkawi
.
On the next day, VistaJet
, a business jet service provider, has announced that it will use the airport as a base of operations in Malaysia. It has chosen Terminal 3, which is being operated by Subang Skypark to be the hub in Asia.
The operator announce that construction works for a 9000 square feet (836.1 m²), five star executive lounge begins in February 2008. The construction works was awarded to ArcRadius Sdn Bhd. It is expected that the lounge works will be done by end of March 2008. The transformation plans also calls for a construction of two 42 meters by 47 meters maintenance, repair and overhaul hangars and ten 36 meter by 36 meter parking hangars. The construction of the MRO hangars will complete by end of 2008 while two of the ten parking hangars will complete by end of 2009.
On 8 August 2008, VistaJet Holding SA
started operations from the airport. It provides private jet travel from Malaysia to anywhere in the world.
Subang Airport underwent a RM40 million facelift on the check-in terminals. The facelift did nothing much to address the lack of parking spots, although a valet service is provided. Parking cost RM25 on daily basis. There are no rail links connected to the airport unlike KL International Airport but travellers can catch a local bus out of Central Market bus hub.
The airport was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
on 28 October 2009. The Prime Minister has expressed confidence that the airport will reach 2 million annual passenger and emerge and a regional hub of ASEAN.
Subang, Petaling
Subang is an affluent residential town located in between Shah Alam and Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises Kampung Baru Subang, a very well known village in the Klang Valley and the internationally renowned Saujana Golf Resort...
, Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, Malaysia, and primarily serves general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
and some turboprop
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
domestic flights. Although plans existed to convert the airport into a low-cost carrier
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
hub, the change was opposed by Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya is a suburban city in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises the southern third of the district of Petaling, and is home to a third of the district population of 1.78 million. Subang Jaya comprises , Bandar Sunway, UEP Subang Jaya, Putra Heights and Batu Tiga...
residents. Before the 1998 opening of the KL International Airport in Sepang
Sepang
Sepang is a town and district located in the southern part of the state of Selangor in Malaysia. Formerly a small town, Sepang grew to several recent developments...
, the (then) Subang International Airport served as Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
's main airport. Subang Airport is currently the hub for Berjaya Air
Berjaya Air
Berjaya Air is an airline based in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It operates domestic scheduled and charter services, as well as regional flights. Its main base is Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Malaysia.- History :...
and Firefly
Firefly (airline)
FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, operating as Firefly, is a full service point to point carrier and a full subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Its head office is located on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor. It claims to be the first community airline in Malaysia...
commercial turboprop services.Transmile Air Services
Transmile Air Services
Transmile Air Services is a cargo airline based in Malaysia. It is an express freight and freighter charter company. The airline was established in November 1993. It has courier transportation services between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia and services international companies such as DHL...
is the only other non-passenger non turbo prop aircraft landing and utilising Subang Airport Terminal 2. While heavily opposed by Ara Damansara residents of the noise of the jet engines, Transmile still operates out of SZB servicing DHL and other local hubs.
History
The airport was officially opened to traffic on 30 August 1965, and had the longest runway (3.7 km long, 45m wide – runway 15 – 33) in Southeast Asia, replacing Sungai Besi Airport. By the 1990s, the airport had three terminals – Terminal 1 for international flights, Terminal 2 for SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
– KL shuttle flights by Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
and Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz...
, and Terminal 3 for domestic flights. Toward the end of service, the airport suffered at least two major fires that forced traffic to be diverted to other airports. By the end of 1997, Subang Airport had handled 15.8 million passengers.
In July 2002, AirAsia began flying from KLIA, and in 2004, AirAsia
AirAsia
AirAsia Berhad is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline. AirAsia is Asia's largest low-fare, no-frills airline and a pioneer of low-cost travel in Asia. AirAsia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main hub is the Low-Cost...
considered utilising the airport as a primary hub in Malaysia. However, the plan was rejected and the Malaysian government now plans to turn the airport into an international conference centre.. Since Firefly started operations in the airport, AirAsia has been lobbying the government to allow AirAsia to use Subang Airport. As of December 2007, the government still maintains its policy of only allowing general aviation and turbo-prop flights out of Subang Airport.
The airport underwent renovation works at Terminal 3 from February 2008 and was finished in October 2009. Terminal 3 was renamed to Subang Skypark.
Present
The airport serves as Berjaya AirBerjaya Air
Berjaya Air is an airline based in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It operates domestic scheduled and charter services, as well as regional flights. Its main base is Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Malaysia.- History :...
's main gateway to several Malaysian holiday destinations, including Pulau Tioman.
Transmile Air Services
Transmile Air Services
Transmile Air Services is a cargo airline based in Malaysia. It is an express freight and freighter charter company. The airline was established in November 1993. It has courier transportation services between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia and services international companies such as DHL...
a national cargo carrier chose Subang Airport as their main cargo operation center, Several companies offer chartered flights and helicopter services from the airport. One of the largest FBO (Fixed Base Operator) in the region (with covered hangar space of more than 100,000sqft), Dnest Aviation Services is also based in this airport. Their newest hangar boast a "first of its kind" infrastructure capable of taking in either a 737 BBJ or A319 ACJ and 2 basement floors directly underneath it with ample of office space, lecture rooms, carpark and a cafeteria. A number of flying clubs are also located at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport, the most famous of these being Subang Flying Club, Elite Flying Club, Eurocopter(An EADS Company), ESB Flying Club(Eurodynamic Sdn Bhd). With Eurocopter, the airport servers as a maintenance and support facility for Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency , the Malaysian Coast Guard version, is the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas. It is in effect the Coast Guard of Malaysia...
helicopters.
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz...
is in Subang, consisting of administrative departments & its maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary, MAS Aerospace.
Another MAS subsidiary, Firefly
Firefly (airline)
FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, operating as Firefly, is a full service point to point carrier and a full subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Its head office is located on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor. It claims to be the first community airline in Malaysia...
also operates a fleet of ATR-72 out of Subang.
Apart from that, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport was to be a hub for Global Flying Hospitals
Global Flying Hospitals
Global Flying Hospitals is the humanitarian medical charity that is the Logistics Resource to the world's humanitarian medical charities. It was founded in 2001 by Neill Newton, to provide medical care in the Developing World...
, but the humanitarian medical charity made the decision to close down Malaysian Operations, stating that the elements to make the correct formula for the GFH model were not present.
Terminal 3 Transformation Plan
On 4 December 2007, Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd announce a RM 300 million plan to transform the Terminal 3 building into an ultra-modern general and corporate aviation hub. The plan includes upgrading the terminal, creation of regional aviation center and finally the establishment of a commercial nexus. Under an agreement with Malaysia AirportsMalaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian airport company that manages most of the airports in Malaysia. The firm was recently awarded the duty to manage airports in international destinations...
, Subang Skypark will serve private aviation while Malaysia Airports will serve Berjaya Air
Berjaya Air
Berjaya Air is an airline based in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It operates domestic scheduled and charter services, as well as regional flights. Its main base is Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Malaysia.- History :...
and Firefly Airlines
Firefly (airline)
FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd, operating as Firefly, is a full service point to point carrier and a full subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Its head office is located on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor. It claims to be the first community airline in Malaysia...
. Subang Skypark recently signed a lease agreement with Malaysia Airports for the land in the Airport in Langkawi
Langkawi
Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border...
.
On the next day, VistaJet
VistaJet Holding SA
offers customized of private business jets.-History:In 2002 VistaJet Holding SA, formerly Air Executive LU.AT, was founded by Thomas Flohr as a European private business jet charter and aircraft management company....
, a business jet service provider, has announced that it will use the airport as a base of operations in Malaysia. It has chosen Terminal 3, which is being operated by Subang Skypark to be the hub in Asia.
The operator announce that construction works for a 9000 square feet (836.1 m²), five star executive lounge begins in February 2008. The construction works was awarded to ArcRadius Sdn Bhd. It is expected that the lounge works will be done by end of March 2008. The transformation plans also calls for a construction of two 42 meters by 47 meters maintenance, repair and overhaul hangars and ten 36 meter by 36 meter parking hangars. The construction of the MRO hangars will complete by end of 2008 while two of the ten parking hangars will complete by end of 2009.
On 8 August 2008, VistaJet Holding SA
VistaJet Holding SA
offers customized of private business jets.-History:In 2002 VistaJet Holding SA, formerly Air Executive LU.AT, was founded by Thomas Flohr as a European private business jet charter and aircraft management company....
started operations from the airport. It provides private jet travel from Malaysia to anywhere in the world.
Subang Airport underwent a RM40 million facelift on the check-in terminals. The facelift did nothing much to address the lack of parking spots, although a valet service is provided. Parking cost RM25 on daily basis. There are no rail links connected to the airport unlike KL International Airport but travellers can catch a local bus out of Central Market bus hub.
The airport was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Najib Tun Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is the sixth, and since 2009, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He previously held the post of Deputy Prime Minister from 7 January 2004 until he succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. Najib is President of the United...
on 28 October 2009. The Prime Minister has expressed confidence that the airport will reach 2 million annual passenger and emerge and a regional hub of ASEAN.
Airlines and destinations
While Terminal 1 has been demolished, Terminal 2 is currently used for the management of Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad. Transmile uses the hangar and apron of the terminal 1 (across the street) connected by an aero bridge for loading of cargo. The Immigration Department also utilise Terminal 2 building for issue of passports and local documentation.Traffic and Statistics
| Years | Passenger Movements | Aircraft Movements | Cargo Movements in Metric Tonnes | Cargo Movements in Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 72,491 | 19,616 | 14,358 | |
| 2004 | 90,593 | 22,757 | 18,670 | |
| 2005 | 83,602 | 29,668 | 46,082 | |
| 2006 | 83,507 | 36,626 | 71,953 | 71,953 |
| 2007 | 95,853 | 44,302 | 63,382 | 63,382 |
| 2008 | 307,747 | 46,989 | 18,473 | 18,473 |
| 2009 | 819,840 | 55,148 | 18,536 | 18,536 |
| 2010 | 1,118,000 | 63,616 | 19,988 | 19,988 |
Accidents and incidents
- 11 May 1976 - British Airways Flight 888, a Boeing 747-100Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
from LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
via BahrainBahrain' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
& Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, was on approach to Runway 15 when it flew below the normal flight path, hitting trees 2.2 nautical miles before the runway threshold. On landing, inspection of the aircraft shows damage on the main landing gears, strike marks on the fuselage, landing gears and engine intakes as well as evidence of debris ingestion on engines 1 & 2. - 27 September 1977 – Japan Airlines Flight 715Japan Airlines Flight 715Japan Airlines Flight 715 was a McDonnell Douglas DC-8 registration JA8051 on a flight from Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Malaysia. There were 69 passengers and 10 crew on board flight 715. After a two hour air traffic control at Sultan Abdul...
, a Douglas DC-8Douglas DC-8The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
, crashed into a hill in bad weather while attempting to land on Runway 15. 34 people, including 8 of the 10 crew members and 26 of the 69 passengers, were killed when the aircraft broke on impact. - 4 December 1977 – Malaysia Airlines Flight 653Malaysia Airlines Flight 653Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 , a Boeing 737-2H6 aircraft registered as , crashed at Tanjung Kupang, Johor, in Malaysia on the evening of 4 December 1977. It was the deadliest and first fatal accident for Malaysia Airlines, with all 93 passengers and 7 crew killed instantly. The flight was...
, a Boeing 737–200Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
from PenangPenangPenang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
to Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
was hijackedAircraft hijackingAircraft hijacking is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft by an individual or a group. In most cases, the pilot is forced to fly according to the orders of the hijackers. Occasionally, however, the hijackers have flown the aircraft themselves, such as the September 11 attacks of 2001...
and crashed in Tanjung KupangTanjung KupangNot to be confused with Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and Tanjung Pinang in Riau IslandsTanjung Kupang is a small village near Nusajaya in Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia.-Malaysia Airlines Flight 653:...
, JohorJohorJohor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, killing all 100 people aboard. - 18 December 1983 – Malaysia Airlines Flight 684, an Airbus A300Airbus A300The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
from Singapore crashed 2 km short of the runway while approaching Runway 15 in bad weather. There were no fatalities, but the aircraft was written off. Ironically, the aircraft was operating its last scheduled flight for Malaysia AirlinesMalaysia AirlinesMalaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz...
, before being returned to its original operator, Scandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines or SAS, previously Scandinavian Airlines System, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the largest airline in Scandinavia....
. - 19 February 1989 – Flying Tigers Flight 66, a Boeing 747-200FBoeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
from Singapore crashed 12 kilometres from the airport while on approach to Runway 33. The pilots misinterpreted the controller's instructions to descend, causing the aircraft to fly below minimum attitude and crashing into a hillside on the outskirts of PuchongPuchongPuchong is a major town in the Petaling district of Selangor, Malaysia. The town used to be a rubber estate and tin-mining town in the 1960s. During 1980s, Puchong consisted of only one two-lane road running through estates and villages...
. All 4 flight crew were killed.
External links
- Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad