KUALA LUMPUR: The 3,454-hectare Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Aeropolis development in Sepang is expected to attract more aviation-related industries, logistics operators, hotels and data centres over the next decade, according to Juwai IQI.
Co-founder and group chief executive officer, Kashif Ansari said the recently held 2026 Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, which attracted more than 260,000 spectators to the Sepang International Circuit, had highlighted opportunities to further develop the airport precinct, particularly in hospitality and aviation-related businesses.
"I have four predictions for what's next for the Aeropolis around KLIA. The first is that industries directly related to air travel will make up the bulk of investment over the next 10 years. Instead of theme parks, expect cargo operators and companies that maintain aircraft," he said in a statement today.
Kashif said this will partly be supported by China's decision to use KLIA as its cargo gateway for the ASEAN region, as well as the presence of Alibaba's logistics subsidiary, which operates a 24.28-hectare fulfilment hub in the area.
He also emphasised the potential for new hotel developments near KLIA, following strong demand during the Grand Prix weekend, when room rates had reportedly tripled.
Data centres are also a potential growth area, he said, noting that a solar park currently under construction is expected to begin operations next year, while the availability of land could support additional sustainable energy generation.
However, Kashif said the Aeropolis is unlikely to become a major residential development despite having the theoretical capacity to accommodate about 48,000 homes if built at the density of a typical Sepang township.
"Airplane noise and safety zones make the land in the airport district an unsuitable place to put thousands of homes. What the Klang Valley needs the Aeropolis to host is business activity.
"It needs office buildings, warehouses, distribution centres, advanced factories, data centres, and even solar farms, as well as leisure and retail spaces," he said.
Kashif added that airports are powerful economic dynamos that can create clusters of businesses around them, citing PricewaterhouseCoopers analysts' estimates that KLIA Aeropolis could contribute RM30 billion to Malaysia's gross domestic product and create 56,000 jobs over 15 years. - Bernama
