THE Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, also known as the Subang Airport, is now being revived with passengers from more airlines being permitted to embark and disembark.
The revival of the airport under the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP) is long overdue and its various facilities should be re-used and not wasted.
First and foremost is the Subang Airport road from the Federal highway to the Star Avenue Mall in Subang Bestari near the RRI. In the last 30 years since the KLIA began operations the Subang airport surroundings have been neglected and have deteriorated much.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke needs to look into ways to make the airport environs neat and beautiful and should start with the airport road.
All the existing decaying old trees need to be replaced with colourful flowering and vibrant trees Such trees on either side of the airport road will be a pleasant sight to behold that will find favour with locals and foreigners.
All the trees along the road reserve need to be cut down as almost all are in various stages of neglect and decay.
The wide road reserve on either side need to be cleared of undergrowth and other structures, makeshift stalls and others that are an eyesore. New signboards need to be installed and the road should be re-paved.
The airport road roundabout can be made livelier with attractive landscaping. More billboards can be installed.
It is also time to look into rejuvenating and re-using some of the dilapidated buildings along the airport, which were abandoned when the Subang Airport operations were shifted to KLIA.
If planned proactively the airport can be revived to be a hub for various activities as it enjoys a favourable location of being near to KL, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang and Subang Jaya and other new developments such as Kota Damansara.
The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), the local authority for the airport, needs to do more for the upkeep and maintenance of the airport and its surroundings and not just be proud and content that the airport is under its jurisdiction and a revenue earner.
The airport can grow exponentially due to the favourable factors and the first initiative will be to spruce up the whole area to make it more vibrant and lively.
Other than the KTM Skypark Link and the soon to be resumed Skypark link service, the airport can be connected to the nearby MRT in Kota Damansara in the future if the airport has expansion plans and this will increase the passengers for the airport as well as the ridership for the MRT.
The open car park opposite Skypark Terminal 3 needs to be upgraded and repaved. People in the Klang Valley look forward to a time when the Subang airport will be a hive of activities, more than before.
I am sure Anthony Loke has a big vision to make the Subang Airport a vibrant city and regional airport.
It is always beneficial to have two airports for the large population of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The Subang airport can be used as an alternative to KLIA in case of any emergency or defence needs now that the Sungai Besi Airport is no more. – Sept 30, 2024
V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Bernama
