KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI) for the development and marketing of Zone 3 and Zone 4 at Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang Airport).
The development will include creating a new area dedicated to business aviation hangars, and amplifying the aerospace ecosystem catering to aerospace manufacturers, assemblers and component maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) operators.
According to MAHB, the collaboration is expected to create a robust ecosystem that fosters innovation, sustainability and economic growth in the region.
It is also expected to attract high-value investments for the leasing of hangars, industrial lots and buildings on 22.4 hectares for Zone 3 and 13.7 hectares for Zone 4.
Both parties will discuss potential collaboration on off-terminal real estate development at KLIA Aeropolis, which encompasses a vast aerospace park and aeronautical support zones surrounding KL International Airport (KLIA).
KLIA Aeropolis Sdn Bhd head Randhill Singh said the collaboration with MBI is a significant milestone in its efforts to position Subang Airport as a global hub for aviation and aerospace.
"By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to drive sustainable economic growth and create new opportunities for the local community. This partnership marks a pivotal step in enhancing Malaysia's position as a key player in the global aviation and aerospace industries.
"The SARP (Subang Airport Regeneration Plan) development is poised to become a cornerstone of Malaysia's economic growth, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a dynamic environment for businesses to thrive," he said in a statement.
MBI group chief executive officer Saipolyazan M. Yusop expects the collaboration to generate significant economic benefits for Selangor by creating a dedicated hub for business aviation and amplifying the aerospace ecosystem.
He added that the development directly supports the state's goals, whereby the Subang Airport is primarily aimed to serve business aviation sectors while KLIA Aeropolis serves the commercial aviation sectors.
"This clear delineation will provide clarity for the development of surrounding areas in both Subang and Sepang, including economic spillover into our economic corridors.
"Our collaboration will position Selangor ahead of the curve, making it the state of choice for aviation investors in Malaysia," he said.
Saipolyazan also noted that the collaboration is expected to increase exposure and create highly focused promotional efforts at attracting industry players, including leading aerospace manufacturers, MRO service providers and research institutions.
This will foster a robust ecosystem for innovation and job creation, positioning Selangor as a premier investment destination in the Southeast Asian aerospace sector.
In February 2024, the government approved the SARP developed by MAHB to upgrade and develop Subang Airport and its surrounding 477.33 hectares into three main segments namely business aviation, aerospace ecosystem and city airport.
The key thrusts of the SARP include the business aviation segment which focuses on fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, providing a full suite of business aviation services such as fixed base operator, hangarage/workshops for MRO, apron parking, and ground handling services.
Additionally, the aerospace ecosystem segment will feature the Subang Aerotech Park, serving as the flagship of the airport industrial cluster, centred on high-tech manufacturing, subassembly, and MRO.
The SARP also includes the development of an integrated city airport terminal and a mixed development of a smart city airport with terminal-linked commercial outlets.