5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Selangor Aero Park to bolster Malaysia's bid to become Asean air cargo hub
SEPANG: The development of Selangor Aero Park (SAP) will strengthen Malaysia's bid to become Asean's leading air cargo hub.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the new industrial development will complement the government's broader ambitions to transform Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Aeropolis into a regional aviation and logistics powerhouse.
"The concept of the Selangor Aero Park is not only relevant but also aligns with our aspirations to make KLIA more than just a passenger airport.
"Our goal is to establish it as the most prominent cargo hub in Asean," he told reporters at the press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony of SAP today.
Loke said KLIA has the necessary land area and infrastructure to achieve the aspirations, with a total of 100 square kilometres, one of the largest airport sites in the region.
"No other airport in Asean has this kind of scale or connectivity. This gives us a competitive edge, especially in attracting high-value investments in the logistics and aerospace sectors," he said.
He said the SAP, a collaboration between Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), will serve as a dedicated industrial zone aimed at attracting aerospace-related manufacturing and supply chain industries.
"This includes components for aircraft and technologies related to aerospace, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services," he said.
Loke said existing MRO facilities at KLIA will benefit from the ecosystem created by SAP, as private sector interest in the sector continues to grow.
He added that Malaysia is also strengthening strategic partnerships to support its cargo ambitions, including with China.
"We have an understanding with China to support KLIA as its Asean cargo hub. This kind of cooperation is key to driving long-term growth," he said.
Loke said the Transport Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) are currently conducting studies to redesign KLIA's airspace and air traffic control systems in anticipation of increased traffic from both passenger and cargo flights.
"KLIA is expected to become increasingly busy, and we want to ensure that air traffic management remains efficient and effective," he said.
The SAP, a key component of the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030, is expected to generate RM55.2 billion in annual aerospace revenue and create over 32,000 high-income jobs by 2030.
Located within the KLIA Aeropolis, the 600-acre park carries a potential gross development value of RM2.3 billion and will be developed in phases to ensure a well-planned, future-ready investment ecosystem.
It will also see GE Aerospace as its launch tenant, securing half of the first phase totalling 100 acres, to develop its engine test cell.
