A travel advisory has just been announced by the government of Malaysia. It is a temporary closure of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 27 until 31 August 2018 between 9.00am and 10.30am. Have you booked a flight on any of those dates?
The essence of KLIA2 Closure
The Transport Ministry of Malaysia has said that the closure of KLIA for five days to let the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) make preparation for an aerial fly-past. This airspace performance will be one of essential parts of Malaysia’s Independence Day parade on August 31st 2018. The minister also has added how the closure can be very beneficial to ensure the safety of the airspace and traffic of aeroplanes at KLIA. It means no one can argue the decision. As the result, about 500 flights are going to be affected. They could be delayed or re-scheduled.
Malaysia Independence Day
Malaysia Independence Day or mostly known as Hari Merdeka by locals is celebrated on August 31st every year. Making a visit at this time means you are ready to see big festivals all over the country. All Malaysians are in happy feeling to celebrate their one of national holidays with fireworks, parades, sporting events and even store sales.
This 2018, Malaysia is going to celebrate their 61st independence day after gaining it from Britain in 1957. As the capital city, Kuala Lumpur surely will be the holiday epicentre. A lot of parties get involved, making the celebration more exciting and vivid. There is no exception with the airforce which will perform an aerial fly-past.
See: Climbing Guide to Mount Kinabalu Malaysia
Enjoying the festival
If you have been in Malaysia today, there is no way to avoid getting excited about the celebration. You will find various events held by both the public and the government. They also welcome anyone whether they are just passerby or even tourists.
Independence Day is when you will meet locals enjoying their off day from work. Banks, public services and government offices are closed as well. To express their excitement, people will take part in various events, go for shopping or simply visit popular vacation destinations. So, if you can’t break the congestion, you should just enjoy the festival. You can make friends with locals by simply saying Happy Independence Day or Selamat Hari Merdeka.
If sightseeing is your most favourite to do, you should not miss the Merdeka Parade which takes places on August 31st. It is a massive celebration where you can even see politicians and VIP people being on the stage. There are many interesting things to see including a royal procession, military demonstration, sports events, cultural performances and many more. It is highly recommended to come early so you can find a space to stand or sit.
See: The way to Visit Legoland Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur
What to do with KLIA closure
Is it still possible to visit Malaysia between August 27th and 31st? Yes, it is. You just need to consider the flight schedule.
The airfare company should have contacted you as well about your flight status. Keep your email address and mobile number in active mode. If you do not get any news, you have the right to consult with their representative.
Remember that the closure is just for an hour and a half, from 9.00am until 10.30am. If arrive before or after the closure time, you can still make up to land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on time. Otherwise, you may need to follow the intended flow. Your flight is possibly delayed; depending on the airfare’s policy you book the ticket. Or you probably just want to cancel the intention of visiting Malaysia. You may receive the refund. It is all your choices. Consider how important your visit is.
Alternatively, you may want to just rearrange the flight schedule. To keep saving the money when buying the tickets, you should check out Airpaz.
