KLIA TRIALS NEW VEHICLE ACCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE KERBSIDE TRAFFIC FLOW

SEPANG – Starting 1 September 2025, KL International Airport (KLIA) will commence a trial run of its new Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS) at Level 5 (departure drop-off) and Level 3 (arrival pick-up), Terminal 1. Running until 30 November 2025, the trial is aimed at improving traffic flow, enhancing safety, and providing smoother access to the terminal. For Terminal 2, the VAMS trial period will commence from 15 September till 30 November.

The system introduces timed entry and exit via barrier gates, designed to reduce congestion caused by unauthorised or extended stops at the kerbside.

According to Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, "Airports worldwide are adopting smarter kerbside management to reduce congestion and elevate the passenger experience. At KLIA, our goal is to create a safer, more efficient, and passenger-friendly airport environment. The terminal is often travellers' first and final impression of Malaysia, and we want that to reflect our hospitality and efficiency, particularly as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026."

During the trial phase, VAMS will grant vehicles a 10-minute grace period for drop-offs and pick-ups, with the system monitoring vehicles that remain beyond this time. No penalty fees will be imposed during the trial period. Instead, the focus will be on observing traffic patterns, driver behaviour, and overall system performance to determine the optimal grace period and penalty fee structure for full implementation.

Following the trial period, penalty fees will be introduced to discourage extended waiting at the kerbside. The grace period duration and penalty fee amounts will be determined based on data collected during the trial, ensuring the system effectively balances accessibility with traffic flow management.

By encouraging responsible use of the drop-off and pick-up lanes, the initiative is expected to ease congestion, reduce waiting times, and improve safety, particularly during peak travel hours. This effort forms part of Malaysia Airports’ broader service improvement agenda to position KLIA as a more efficient, people-centric, and future-ready airport.