Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is Malaysia’s principal international aviation gateway and a major Southeast Asian hub. Its airport code is KUL and its ICAO code is WMKK. Although it is commonly called “Kuala Lumpur Airport,” KLIA is physically located in Sepang, Selangor, roughly 50 km south of central Kuala Lumpur. The airport opened in 1998.
Quick facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Kuala Lumpur International Airport / KL International Airport |
| Common names | KLIA, KUL, Kuala Lumpur Airport |
| IATA code | KUL |
| ICAO code | WMKK |
| Location | Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia |
| City served | Greater Kuala Lumpur / Klang Valley |
| Distance from Kuala Lumpur | Approximately 50 km |
| Opened | 27 June 1998 |
| Airport operator | Malaysia Airports |
| Main terminals | Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) |
| Time zone | Malaysia Standard Time (UTC+8) |
| Official airport website | Malaysia Airports — KLIA |
| Wikipedia | Kuala Lumpur International Airport — Wikipedia |
KLIA has three parallel runways, each roughly 4 km long, and serves both full-service and low-cost airlines.
KLIA Important Contact Numbers
The following are the most useful contacts for passengers.
| Purpose | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KLIA general enquiries / airport call centre | +60 3-8777 8888 | General airport enquiries |
| Malaysia Airports corporate office | +60 3-8777 7000 | Operator/corporate matters |
| Terminal 2 general line | +60 3-8778 5000 | T2 information |
| Terminal 2 information counters | +60 3-8778 5540 / 5541 / 5542 | Passenger information |
| Terminal 1 Lost & Found | +60 3-8776 4312 | Report items lost in T1 |
| Terminal 2 Lost & Found | +60 3-8778 5409 / +60 19-230 9652 | Items lost in T2 |
| Emergency services, Malaysia | 999 | Police, fire & rescue, ambulance and other emergency response |
| Mobile emergency access | 999 | Malaysia’s integrated emergency number |
KLIA Terminal Information
KLIA currently operates as a two-terminal airport complex:
Terminal 1 — KLIA T1
Terminal 1 is the original/main KLIA terminal and handles a large proportion of Malaysia’s full-service and international operations.
It consists broadly of:
- Main Terminal Building
- Contact Pier
- Satellite facilities for international passengers
- Domestic and international passenger-processing areas
- Check-in, immigration, customs and baggage facilities
- Retail, dining and passenger lounges
Malaysia Airports provides live arrival/departure information, services, amenities, transport information and maps through its T1 portal.
Terminal 2 — KLIA T2
Terminal 2 is the newer terminal originally known as klia2. It was developed particularly for the rapidly expanding low-cost-carrier market and is strongly associated with AirAsia and other low-cost operations.
T2 includes:
- Large check-in/departure area
- Domestic and international operations
- Extensive retail and dining
- Passenger services
- Transport connections
- Gateway@klia2 commercial facilities
Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport describes KLIA2 as being less than 2 km from the original KLIA main building and notes its large passenger-processing capacity and extensive passenger facilities.
Are KLIA T1 and T2 the same airport?
Yes. They are two passenger terminals within the KLIA airport complex, but they are not interchangeable.
Always check your airline’s booking or boarding pass for KUL T1 or KUL T2 before travelling to the airport.
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2
| Feature | KLIA Terminal 1 | KLIA Terminal 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Common abbreviation | T1 | T2 |
| Former/common name | KLIA | klia2 |
| Main role | Full-service + international/domestic operations | Major low-cost-carrier terminal |
| AirAsia | Check flight information | Major AirAsia base |
| International flights | Yes | Yes |
| Domestic flights | Yes | Yes |
| Rail connection | KLIA T1 station | KLIA T2 station |
| Airport code | KUL | KUL |
| Separate terminal? | Yes | Yes |
| Same airport? | Yes | Yes |
Do not assume that an international flight automatically uses T1 or that a domestic flight automatically uses T2. Terminal assignment depends primarily on the airline and flight.
Lost & Found at KLIA
Terminal 1
For something lost inside the T1 airport terminal, the published Lost & Found contact is:
Phone: +60 3-8776 4312
Email: lostandfound@malaysiaairports.com.my
The Lost & Found centre is on Level 2 of the Main Terminal Building, near the Food Garden entrance/Car Park Blocks C and D.
Terminal 2
For items lost within T2:
Phone: +60 3-8778 5409
Alternative: +60 19-230 9652
Email: lostandfoundklia2@malaysiaairports.com.my
The T2 Lost & Found centre is on Level 3, Departure Hall, near check-in Counter Z.
Emergency Contacts at KLIA
| Emergency | Number | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 999 | Crime, threat, security emergency |
| Fire & Rescue | 999 | Fire or rescue emergency |
| Ambulance / medical emergency | 999 | Serious injury or medical emergency |
| General Malaysian emergency response | 999 | Immediate emergency requiring government response |
| Airport assistance | Airport staff / information desk | Non-life-threatening airport assistance |
Frequently Asked Questions About Kuala Lumpur International Airport
What is the airport code for Kuala Lumpur International Airport?
The IATA code is KUL, while the ICAO code is WMKK.
Where is Kuala Lumpur International Airport located?
KLIA is located in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, approximately 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur city centre.
How many terminals does KLIA have?
KLIA has two main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Is KLIA Terminal 1 the same as KLIA2?
They are part of the same airport complex, but they are different terminals. KLIA2 has been rebranded as KLIA Terminal 2.
Which terminal does AirAsia use at KLIA?
AirAsia has a major operation at KLIA Terminal 2, but passengers should verify the terminal shown for their particular flight.
Is KLIA open 24 hours?
KLIA is a major international airport with round-the-clock aviation operations, although individual facilities, counters, shops, lounges and transport services can have different operating hours.
How far is KLIA from Kuala Lumpur?
It is approximately 50 km from Kuala Lumpur.
How long does KLIA Ekspres take to Kuala Lumpur?
The official KLIA Ekspres information currently gives approximately 28 minutes between KL Sentral and KLIA T1.
How long does it take to travel between KLIA T1 and T2?
The KLIA Ekspres journey between T1 and T2 is approximately 3 minutes, although passengers should allow additional time for walking to/from platforms and other airport procedures.
What is the KLIA emergency number?
For an immediate emergency in Malaysia, call 999. It is the country’s integrated emergency-response number.
What is the KLIA general contact number?
The commonly published KLIA general enquiry number is +60 3-8777 8888. Airport-related information services are also available through the official Malaysia Airports website.
Where do I report lost property at KLIA?
For T1, contact +60 3-8776 4312. For T2, contact +60 3-8778 5409 or +60 19-230 9652.
What should I do if my checked baggage is missing?
Report the problem to your airline’s baggage-services/ground-handling desk immediately, preferably before leaving the baggage-claim area. Airport Lost & Found is primarily relevant to property found within airport areas; mishandled checked baggage is generally handled by the airline.
Does KLIA have a train station?
Yes. Both KLIA T1 and KLIA T2 have rail connections, including KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit services.
Is KLIA the same as Subang Airport?
No. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is in Sepang. Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), commonly called Subang Airport, is a separate airport serving the Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area.