KLIA Terminal 2 undergoes 16 upgrades to ready for VM2026
KLIA Terminal 2 has completed 16 facility improvements aimed at smoothing passenger flow, boosting comfort, and enhancing overall efficiency as Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) approaches.
Shahrunnizam Abd Jamil, Operations General Manager at Terminal 2, explained that the upgrades target core passenger processes—check-in, boarding, and baggage handling—to accommodate higher traveler volumes, especially during peak seasons and festive periods.
Improvements near the check-in area include new self-service bag drops and additional bag-check points. The goal is to minimize queues and ensure a seamless passenger experience, according to Shahrunnizam, who spoke during a media walkabout highlighting the terminal’s latest upgrades and services.
He added that MAHB also reassessed passenger flow in both departure and arrival zones to ensure capacity can grow without compromising safety or security. The upgrades reflect feedback gathered from passengers and data analysis, aligning with MAHB’s customer-centric approach.
Examples of enhancements include upgrading toilets to five-star standards and upgrading prayer facilities so travelers can worship more comfortably. The overall ambience has improved, with all amenities now accessible to transit passengers.
Other notable changes involve redesigned luggage trolleys to improve safety on inclined surfaces like escalators, as well as increased availability of wheelchairs and children’s strollers.
Additionally, a new movie lounge has been introduced at Terminal 2 to accommodate longer layovers.
To support VM2026, MAHB is partnering with Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to showcase local culture and tourism products within the terminal. This includes dedicated spaces for cultural displays, tourism promotions, and performances for arriving travelers.
Upgrades extended beyond the terminal building, featuring landscaping improvements and the installation of a prominent “Welcome to Malaysia” sign at key entry points.
Regarding MAHB’s privatisation, Shahrunnizam noted that it has enabled swifter operational decisions, speeding up the rollout of upgrades.
In response to the perception of KLIA2 as a “low-cost terminal,” he clarified that Terminal 2 is not a low-cost airport. It serves low-cost carriers but maintains infrastructure and service standards on par with international norms.
Passenger response to the upgrades has been largely positive, with particular praise for improved food and beverage options, self-service bag drops, wayfinding, and customer-service staffing.
The upgrade program spanned roughly one year, with the total cost to be disclosed at a later date.
