The infrastructure around Subang Airport needs to be improved to make it an attractive airport hub. — Filepic
THE Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, also known as Subang Airport, is now being revived with it being a destination for more airlines.
The airport’s revival under the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP) is long overdue and its various facilities should not be wasted.
Subang Airport’s surroundings have been neglected and deteriorated much over many years since the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) began operations.
First and foremost should be the sprucing up of Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, stretching from the Federal Highway all the way to Star Avenue Lifestyle Mall in Bandar Pinggiran Subang.
All the existing decaying old trees need to be replaced with vibrant, colourful trees.
Such trees will be a pleasant sight to behold for both locals and foreigners as they travel along the road.
The road reserve along Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang needs to be cleared of undergrowth, makeshift stalls and illegal structures that are an eyesore.
New signboards need to be installed and the road repaved.
The roundabout near Subang Airport can be made more lively with attractive landscaping.
It is time to look into rejuvenating some of the dilapidated buildings along the airport, which were abandoned when the international flight operations were shifted to KLIA.
Subang Airport can be revived to be a major hub for various aviation-related activities as it is located near cities such as Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and even Kuala Lumpur.
The local authorities need to do more for the upkeep and maintenance of the airport and its surroundings.
The airport can grow exponentially due to several favourable factors, hence the need to spruce up the whole area to make it more vibrant and lively.
In terms of public transport, Subang Airport is presently linked via KTM’s Skypark Link connecting to Subang Jaya KTM Station and Kuala Lumpur Sentral, and the soon-to-be- resumed Skypark Link express train service to Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
The airport can be connected to the Kota Damansara MRT Station in the future if the airport has expansion plans.
This will increase the airport’s number of passengers and MRT ridership.
There is also plenty of vacant land nearby belonging to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) that can be used for the airport’s future expansion.
The open-air carpark opposite Subang Airport’s main terminal needs to be upgraded too.
With significant upgrades and facilities improved, I believe that Subang Airport will once again be a hive of activities.
I am sure Transport Minister Anthony Loke has big visions to make Subang Airport a regional airport and for SARP to become a reality in a short time.
It is always beneficial to have two airports for the large population of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
V. THOMAS
Sungai Buloh
