AIRPORTS DELIVER SEAMLESS ASEAN SUMMIT 2025 OPERATIONS

SEPANG – All arrival and departure movements for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were executed smoothly across KL International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2, as well as at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and efficient facilitation for heads of government, ministers and delegates between 22 and 29 October 2025.

Across both airports, more than 9,300 flight movements and 1.4 million passenger movements were recorded during the eight-day period, including summit delegations and support personnel. A total of 60 special and chartered flights were managed through the Bunga Raya Complex (BRC) at KLIA and SZB’s business aviation terminal, coordinated with precise scheduling, secure handling, and minimal impact to regular passenger operations. 

A core planning team of about 70 officers from 24 units comprising airport operations, aviation authorities and related government ministries and agencies oversaw months of preparation covering logistics, ground handling and emergency readiness, supported by hundreds more personnel deployed across terminals during the Summit period. 

As early as September, a full-scale exercise was conducted at the BRC to test the building emergency response plan (ERP) and strengthen inter-agency coordination. The drill involved participation from the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra), Ministry of Transport (MoT), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Immigration, Customs, Ministry of Health (KKM), Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), and ground handlers, along with internal divisions for fire and rescue, security, operations control, risk management, and technical services. The exercise tested emergency communication, evacuation procedures and compliance ensuring full readiness ahead of the event. 

In the final week of October, the Airport Crisis Management Team (ACMT) was activated to provide real-time operational oversight and coordination with Wisma Putra, MoT, CAAM, PDRM and other key agencies, ensuring safe, efficient and uninterrupted facilitation of high-security movements. 

The ASEAN Summit not only brought together regional leaders and delegates but also attracted a vibrant community of aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters to KLIA and SZB. Many gathered at the airports to witness and photograph the arrival of special aircraft carrying heads of state and dignitaries, adding excitement to the summit atmosphere. Their presence highlighted the airports’ significance as key gateways for international diplomacy and showcased Malaysia’s role as a host for major global events. 

Building on this momentum, the seamless management of ASEAN Summit operations demonstrates the strength of Malaysia’s aviation ecosystem and the nation’s readiness to host major international events safely and efficiently. It also reflects the continued focus on service excellence and operational discipline under the Service–Growth–Capacity transformation framework.