QuickCheck: Is KLIA2's air traffic control tower the tallest in the world?

THERE are plenty of skyscrapers in Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur was home to the tallest building in the world - the PETRONAS Twin Towers, the tallest building in the world until it was overtaken by Taiwan's Taipei 101 in 2004.

With that said, many have claimed that Malaysia still has one tower that is still the tallest in the world; the air traffic control tower at the KLIA 2 terminal.

Is it true that KLIA 2 has the tallest air traffic control tower in the world?

Verdict:

TRUE - FOR NOW

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the tallest air traffic control tower in the world is the one at KLIA2.

The tower - officially named Tower West and designed in a manner reminiscent of an Olympic torch - stands at 133.8m and was completed on April 30, 2013, at a total cost of RM55mil.

It houses air traffic control and radar systems and serves as the main ATC for both KLIA 1 and 2.

Tower West is complemented by a second apron control tower which is responsible for the provision of air traffic services to aircraft and vehicles in the northern and southern parts of the airport and the cargo apron areas.

However, Tower West's grip on holding on to the title is tenuous at best, as the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia completed an expansion project in 2019 that included a spanking brand new control tower that is reportedly 136m tall.

For whatever reason, the Guinness Book of Records has yet to confirm the tower as the world's tallest, so Malaysia still holds the record.

Perhaps during KLIA's next expansion or renovation they could add a 4m long spire to the tower so Malaysia could hold on to the record?

References:

1. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-airport-control-tower

2. https://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/25/ICAO-declares-klia2-safe-Hishammuddin-Airport-in-compliance-with-all-requirements/

3. https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/172163