Malaysian corporations bidding for UK Stansted Airport

Malaysia may be a small nation but Malaysian corporations have acquired huge assets in other countries. Following last year's acquisition by the SP Setia-Sime Darby-Employees Provident Fund consortium of the Battersea Power Station project, yet another bid has been made to acquire another iconic UK asset, the Stansted Airport, the third busiest in London and fourth busiest in Britain.

YTL Corp Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) are putting together a firm bid for London's Stansted Airport in an 80:20 equity structure, sources told StarBiz, confirming earlier reports.

The low-cost carrier terminal is being offered for sale by UK airports operator Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd, formerly BAA, to satisfy competition concerns after a four-year battle with regulators. The reported figure is £1bil (RM5bil).

More: The Star.. YTL, MAHB in combined offer for RM5b UK airport

A San Francisco airport shuttle service to try out

For a first-time traveller to a city, any city, it is always reassuring to know that one is able to get around the city or at least be able to get from the airport (when you arrive) to your destination with minimum or no hassle. Reliable airport shuttle contributes significantly to a city's hospitality factor enhancing a visitor's travel experience.

If you are visiting San Francisco for the first time, or on a revisit, you might be pleased to know that getting to San Francisco City area is now easier with the American Airporter Shuttle. Their san francisco airport shuttle can pick you up from SFO airport and take you to your destination in the city or help you get to the SFO airport in time for your flight.

American Airporter Shuttle is a ground transportation service in Northern California that provides door-to-door service to and from your home, hotel, or office - including sfo airport shuttle service. They specialize in prompt, courteous service at very competitive rates. Their fleet of vehicles include top of the line and their drivers, experienced and reliable.

In addition to sfo shuttle transportation, they also offer Site Seeing Tours. Going on a Site Seeing tour is an ideal way to see all the major sites of a city and San Francisco has plenty of tourist sites and attractions. The flexibility of a small van can bring you driving by the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Seal Rock, or Lombard Street. The drivers at American Airporter Shuttle will be happy to make suggestions or you can direct the tour! This is an excellent value at the competitive rates they offer for group tours.

Making your reservation is easy. You can go online on their website or call them. Their office is open 24 hours every day of the week. Their rates are among the best at $17 per person, additional passengers $10 with prior reservation. Major credit cards are accepted.

Their Cancellation Policy is accommodating, If you have a change in your travel plans and would need to cancel your reservation, you will get your refund for any reservation when you cancel with a minimum six hours notice prior to the pickup time. Refunds usually show to your account within 30 days.

Kuching airport temporarily closed

According to The Star today, the Kuching International Airport has been closed temporarily Tuesday until further notice.

The temporary closure is due to an incident Monday night, when an AirAsia aircraft (flight AK5218 from Kuala Lumpur), skidded and veered off the airport's runway 25, when landing at 10.02 during heavy rain.

All passengers were evacuated safely from the aircraft. Only one flight was released for departure from the airport, flight MH2505 to Kuala Lumpur.

Related article:
AirAsia plane skids at Kuching airport

New Sepang LCCT International Arrival Hall

If you are a frequent flyer using the LCCT, you would be happy to know about the terminal being expanded to cater to increased passenger load. Even on non-peak times, the LCCT can be crowded as shown in the picture below..


According to The Star, THE new international arrival hall at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Sepang in Selangor will open for operation on Dec 15, weeks ahead of its original scheduled date.

The hall is part of the RM160mil new wing constructed under the LCCT expansion plan.

The whole wing is also expected to be fully ready for operation earlier than the original completion date of March 15 next year. The extension adds another 32,000sq m of floor-space to the existing 28,000sq m available.


Check-in counters will be increased to 117 from 72 and will be able to handle a passenger load of 2200 passengers as opposed to the old number of 600. There will be six baggage carousels. Luggage pickup will be a less time-consuming affair for travellers.

Travellers can also expect more retail and food and beverage outlets. There will also be shower and surau facilities. The waiting area will also be increased to cater to 600 seats.

Besides the AirAsia domestic flights and the AirAsia X international services to Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, other airlines using the LCCT are the Cebu Pacific Airways of the Philippines and the Tiger Airways of Singapore.

In March next year, AirAsia X is scheduled to start operating the London Stansted-Kuala Lumpur route from the LCCT.

As for public transport, eight bus companies link the LCCT to Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Shah Alam, Seremban, Malacca, Ipoh and Genting. There are also ample taxi services.

Exciting times ahead for all.

Source: The Star

Beijing Airport Update / Malaysian Visa Upon Arrival abolished

During the opening ceremony of the Olympics, Beijing Capital International Airport will be shut down. It also announced that flights will be suspended during the opening ceremony. Even the Beijing Nanyuan airport would also be subject to flight suspensions. No flights would be allowed to take off or land at both airports from 7:00pm to midnight on 8 August 2008.

And on the Malaysian front, with immediate effect, the Malaysian government has abolished the Visa On Arrival (VOA) for 27 countries, who had enjoyed the facilities previously. The countries include India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan and most nationalities from Africa.

This would mean that citizens of affected countries would require a proper visa from the Malaysian mission from their respective countries. However, visitors from P.R. China are still eligible and may obtain a fourteen-day (14) Social Visa upon arrival, with a fee of RM100, return/onwards ticket and sufficient funds.