LETTERS: With the reopening of our borders, Malaysia is once again welcoming visitors from all around the world.
I am disappointed with what is happening at our country's main entry gate, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the country's largest entry point and the place where first impressions are made.
Firstly, the conditions and facilities of the airport are outdated. The floors are not polished, the lights at the drop-off area are not working and the roads leading to the airport have faulty streetlights.
A few streetlights along Jalan KLIA are broken. The tiny dimly lit white fonts on the blue signboards in the airport look old.
Several travelators work partially and the aerotrain has only one train working at a time. I understand plans to replace the aerotrains are under way, but where are the signages and announcements for people to board shuttle buses?
Now, for Immigration. I'm lucky to be able to use the autogate, but I noticed the long queues at the manual Immigration counters. It was chaotic, with no staff manning the crowd.
In comparison, when I was at Toronto Pearson Airport, many flights landed at the same time, but the crowd control was smooth and efficient. However, it appeared to be a mess at KLIA. Where are the airport staff or guards?
Some travellers were not even sure where the queue starts. I saw many travellers getting lost trying to look for Immigration as there were inadequate signboards.
At the KLIA international departure area at Gate L and the satellite levels, there was limited food and beverage for travellers and the vending machines were switched off. Travellers were forced to pay an expensive fee to enter airport lounges to eat and rest.
Congestion is caused by the large number of vehicles parked on the roadside outside the KLIA arrival area.
With all this, KLIA looks horrible and it's an embarrassing first impression for visitors to Malaysia. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd must do something quickly to upgrade KLIA.
Let's start with simple things like giving cosmetic makeovers to signboards and improving the Immigration experience, which can improve the overall airport experience.
RYAN P.
Puchong, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times