
Dato’ Iskandar Mizal Mahmood returns to Malaysia Airports after almost 20 years with his wealth of experience gleaned from many multinationals and government- linked companies to elevate and transform Malaysia Airports in the fast-changing aviation landscape with new travel norms and innovative technological advances.
This month, he is pleased with the newly launched upgraded management platform STARdesk to enhance its passenger experience at KL International Airport (KLIA). Upgrading or expansion at other key airports are also in the works to ensure that they are able to meet the increasing passenger capacity as travel momentum continues to pick up post Covid-19 pandemic. He also brims with pride that a Malaysia Airports talent has won Airports Council International Asia Pacific (ACI APAC) signature Human Resource programme’s Young Executive Award 2023 for promulgating innovative ideas and best practices in the region and the Middle East.
As part of our continuous efforts to elevate our service standards to help us regain top-tier global rankings for KLIA, we recently introduced the STARdesk system which can quickly validate and address passengers’ feedback within 15 minutes after they are submitted to our MYAirports mobile app. The app, which can be downloaded at Google Play Store or Apple App Store, is also useful for our passengers as it features flight schedules, wayfinding as well as food and beverage offerings at our flagship airport.
STARdesk was launched alongside our new EZbagz self- service bag drop facility at KLIA Terminal 1 where we are working for a start with Malaysia Airlines for its domestic flights. We are changing the way we operate with more vigour and carrying various transformation exercises for continuous enhancements to the passenger journey. We aim to sustain this momentum and introduce more innovative initiatives in the coming months.
As for our other airports in Malaysia, we have not overlooked their expansion plans or upgrading exercise either. In the case of Kuching International Airport, RM2.9 million has been allocated for 2023-2025 to upgrade its facilities, baggage handling system and aerobridges.
On the estimated RM1.2 billion expansion of Penang International Airport (PIA), which will cater to 12 million passengers annually upon its completion in four years time, construction is expected to begin next year. It will include the building of a new terminal, infrastructure and facilities for passengers.
Meanwhile, the federal government has approved the redevelopment of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, popularly referred to as Subang Airport, to be turned into a regional aviation hub with a maximum capacity of eight million annual passengers. All these airport expansion projects are expected to create high value and skilled job opportunities, which will augur well for the aviation sector.
I am also happy to announce that Noor Sabrina, our senior executive of stakeholder relations and regulatory affairs has been declared the winner of this year’s Young Executive Award themed ‘The Future of Airport Workforce’. She will not only receive US$1,000 cash and a scholarship for an online self-study on an Airports Operations Diploma programme but will have her research paper featured on ACI website.
As an incentive for nominating her, Malaysia Airports is also offered an additional scholarship to any ACI Global Training Leadership and Management Professional Course which can be taken virtually or classroom style, excluding travel fare. We are thankful for this opportunity to send our young talents to further enhance their skills and develop their career with us.