SkyPark Subang – A Lifestyle Destination
Posted by azuan on Aug 25, 2009 in :: All Posts ::, AVIATION, Featured Articles, REVIEWS | 25 comments
NOTE FROM BLOGGER: This blog post was written and published on August 25th 2009. This represents my PERSONAL opinion at that time.
Throughout last week, I conducted a quick survey by posting the following question on my friend’s Facebook Status:
“Where can you find a one-stop center with 15 local and international Food & Beverage Outlets, live jazz band, a sports bar, three reflexology and fish spas, 2 full-sized banks, a specialty golf-shop, beauty-product kiosks, duty free shops and many more?”
It’s not a surprise that 18 out of 21 people that responded gave the answer “a shopping mall”. After all it’s common in Malaysia to associate those facilities with the one available in a shopping mall. The biggest surprise is of course when I told the respondents that the place I was referring to is actually an airport, the SkyPark Subang Terminal to be exact!
With the physical transformation completed and operations already in full swing, the RM40 million SkyPark Subang Terminal is destined to come alive as Malaysia’s premier airport in the city and in the process, repositioning itself firmly in the world aviation map.
On the 17th of August 2009, members of the media were treated to a sneak preview of the city airport and explained of the refurbished facilities by Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd Executive Director, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon. I was lucky enough to be invited under the capacity of a blogger thanks to an earlier post that I wrote on the airport as part of my Firefly Airline Review series.
As more and more travelers are looking at an airport for more than just a transport experience, allow me to share with you the experience of SkyPark Subang shopping, dining and other lifestyle facilities.
***
Four dedicated lanes serve as an entry point into SkyPark Subang Terminal to avoid congestion which includes a dedicated lane for taxis. For those who prefer to drive, valet parking service is a first for Malaysian airports, while just across the road is a 750-bay open air parking area that is accessible via an overhead pedestrian bridge leading directly into the terminal. There are two parking bays for the physically-challenged in the driveway as well as an elevator in the city airport to reach the upper level. I’ve been to some major airports in the world and they don’t even have parking bays for the physically-challenged that are as close to the teminal as what SkyPark Subang have.
Lifestyle elements at SkyPark Subang Terminal are defined by the many popular franchise food and beverage outlets that include designer trendsetters such as Starbucks and Big Apple Donuts & Coffee as well as local outlets such as Sakura Cuisine and Cafe, Kapitan Kopitiam,
Also in Subang SkyPark are 1901 Hotdogs, a noodles specialty restaurant, a sports bar and grill and a dedicated ‘food-court’ section serving popular local delicacies.
For dessert enjoy the chocolate shop, an ice cream bar and a fruit juice galore island.
The airport also houses two banks, Maybank and CIMB, two courier service companies, a mini emporium D’Trend Avenue, a money changer, three reflexology and fish spas (at the main lobby and domestic and international departure halls), and a luggage deposit counter
Other outlets include two magazine stores, a souvenir shop, a handphone service provider Celcom, and a duty free store at the international arrival/departure hall.
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Lending greater ambience to the entire lifestyle city airport-driven concept is a jazz band that performs six evenings a week at the lobby of the arrival hall next to the food and beverage outlets.
For air travelers, SkyPark Subang offers a refreshing new concept. The right lighting coupled with great modern interior and high ceiling gives an impression of being airborne even before you check in.
The design throughout Subang SkyPark carefully factored in practicality and convenience for air travelers, and this can be immediately appreciated as soon as passengers step into the departure section of the terminal where the ticketing offices of four major airlines and the elegant check-in counters are strategically positioned.
Beyond the common area of the airport, after passing through the common security checkpoint, passengers are free to roam in the departure hall to enjoy facilities like comfortable and adequate chairs, large TV screen, smoking room, airside café and a reflexology and fish spa center.
The highlight of the media preview was the exclusive tour to the high-flyer world of ‘rich and famous’. SkyPark Subang Terminal’s dedicated private aviation terminal is also already fully operational and with a runway capable of accommodating a 747 jetliner, it will serve as the country’s gateway for inbound and outbound corporate and private jets. Dubbed the SkyPark FBO Malaysia, it has also planned 30 acres of land for hangarage facilities to house privately-owned aircrafts.
Arriving into SkyPark FBO (Fixed Based Operation) is just like entering into a 5-star hotel. Every single minor detail has been worked out with meticulous accuracy to ensure the total comfort for guests.
Reading materials, a full gym and full-kitchen facilities are part of the SkyPark FBO facilities.
For private discussions and meetings, a couple of full-size meeting and conference rooms are available for the guests.
For the tech crew, a couple of rooms are available for them to rest and re-charge to fly to the next destination.
Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd under the leadership of Tan Sri Ravindran Menon has successfully transformed the old Subang Airport into SkyPark Subang Terminal that makes your flying experience both pleasant and convenient. On my last few departures from SkyPark Subang, I actually made a point of getting to the airport early to check out the shops, have a drink with friends and to even have a leisurely dinner before boarding my flight. It is indeed a lifestyle destination in itself.
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It was an interesting experience to spend a couple of hours with Tan Sri Ravindran Menon and the rest of the media listening to Tan Sri’s vision and plans for SkyPark Subang. There were only a couple of bloggers invited to the media review and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd and GRA Communications Sdn Bhd for the invitation and hospitality throughout the evening!
Thank you.
***
Azuan A Zahdi
http://azuanzahdi.com
azuan_az@hotmail.com
25 Comments
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Hi Sir, I agree with you that this airport will lead the development of airports in Malaysia. The fact that it has managed to balance between private jet luxury and normal passengers comfort is something to be proud of. At least we have something the country can be proud of in the area of construction and refurbishment.
Thanks a lot for coming to the event in such short notice.
Excellent write up!
Malaysian airports are famous for our high ceilings i guess.. so you gonna go there to spend your weekend every week lah now?
wow… i never look at the airport this way. any entertainment outlet like cinema or bowling or karaoke? that would bring in the younger crowd. after all those shops need customers to survive!
i just remembered reading an article about KLIA being the top shopping-airport experience in the world or something like that. it was a very good article, spoke about Berjaya Air and what we Malaysians tend to take for granted.
Stephen: I totallya agree.
Faizul: Thanks for the invitation. Every day at least 5 visitors came to my blog by searching “Subang SkyPark” or “Subang Airport”. I hope this post will help to showcase the airport both as a lifestly center as well as an airport.
Joanne: Thanks for visiting my blog once again. I agree that there is a need to have a ‘pull’ factor to have people to actually come to SkyPark for other purposes than flying.
WM: I think i read the article somehwere. A good-one. and yes, i was in SkyPark a few days before the fasting month to actually have a cup of coffee with a few of my friends who work nearby.
WM: 10-years ago i always have this ‘vision’ of actually having a date with an air stewardess in an airport. Subang SkyPark seems like the place
..hehehe i guess i keep that story for a different time hahaha!
lol! your ‘vision’ could still come true!
bro!
you did it again bro! i am so impressed with your review!
tell you the truth, am glad to know such inspiring and aspiring blogger like you, always positive writing.
Thanks Bro~!
For the benefit of your visitors, official opening by YAB PM is scheduled for 28 October 2009.
i agree with herms of fy.
Many blogs are coming out from Malaysians that are really useful in our daily life. Nowdays whenever im going for a new place my first source of info is blogs.
In this case while news article feature 2-3 photos you literally gave your visitors a virtual tour of the airport, so i can expect what i’m going to experience when i fly with Berjaya via Subang next month. Go blooggers!
The development of Skypark Subang (reface of the old Terminal 3) is a good step to enhance our aviation and boost up tourism industry.
However few issue I would like to highlight here as mentioned in my blog, the design of Skypark is lack of OKU and golden citizen requirement. I personally help few golden citizen bringing their luggage down from pedestrian bridge to the open car park (opposite skypark), pity them.
Furthermore the are insufficient seat for the building users to seat while waiting for the relative and friends.
Other than that I would say the daring transformation did well, I’m not surprise they completed the upgrading work faster as it did not involve any major and massive structural work.
Ohhh one more thing, sorry to say that the white facade will cost more maintenance cost in future (for cleaning). On the day I post up about skypark in my blog, the facade looks nice (9/8/2009), however as for today (9/9/2009) the facade looks already dirty, the white color make the dirt so obvious.
Thanks for your comments.
I can only comment on OKU facilities. I have an experience of traveling with an elderly on wheelchair. I had no issue at all as i was allowed to park my car right in front of the entrance. There were also staff from the airline and passer-by who assisted. I’m sure OKU facilities can still be improved but it’s a start to have reserved parking and wheel-chair friendly terminal.
Well Azuan in your case seems ok. I suggest the management of sky park built up a ram with one landing and 1 lap going down to the open car park attached with the existing pedestrian bridge.
Notice a lot people willing to crossing the road rather that using the pedestrian bride?, the answer is traffic flow. In that case there are 3 action the Skypark can take:
1. request with JKR to put one / two hump on the road going down from new flyover, so cars or any other vehicle will slow down.
2. negotiate with local authority or put some cost to built zebra crossing with pedestrian traffic light
3. put up a wall or fence along the divider in front of skypark to block public from crossing the road, hence most of the vehicle drive fast down from the new flyover towards MAS Complex A, the other side of the road has no issue since there are 2 humps (right before entering Complex B and infront of Terminal 2).
Just my 2 cent advice and opinion.
HI, do you know is it safe to park our car at Skypark for a few days?? What is the parking charges like for 4 days?? I thought of flying off with firefly for few days holiday in indonesia.
Thanks
Hi KC! Thanks for dropping by.
The parking charges is definitely cheaper than KLIA or even LCCT. Somewhere around RM30+- for 24 hours if i’m not mistaken. It is an open air car park but there’s a 24-hours security guard and CCTV and the place is lighted at night. Try parking your car near to the parking cashier booth.
Also when you walk across to SkyPark, be sure to use the overhead bridge. Cars simply zoom in at top speed since the new flyover was completed.
hi azuan!
i understand MAS has an office at skypark. my friend booked our tickets to melb so we need to hv our visas done. would u know if the mas office is open during weekends, and its operating hours?
btw, great blog u hv here.
Hi Azuan,
Great review of Skypark Subang. We met that day when you were over at NOOODLES for the media review. For the benefit of your readers I would like to elaborate a bit about NOOODLES . NOOODLES at Skypark is a specialty restaurant that serve halal chinese noodles and it take pride in serving noodles that are free of MSG and Boric Acid,harmful chemicals that normally associated in production of noodles locally.
Thanks. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing the latest update!
No problem. Check out the more recent update on Makan-makan @ SkyPark too!
Hey! Could you guide me with some budget family hotel details near this airport. I need a night stay for a trip to LGK.
Thanks in advance : )
Hi Bhaskar, will reply your email later.
Hi Azuan,
I saw that you have a Fireflyz model Aircraft. I am an aircraft collector. Where can I buy that please? Onboard or at Sky Park? Please advise bro. Thanks
Hi Venoth! you can buy it on board a Firefly flight or try walking in at their sales center.
I’m thinking about parking my car at the airport for 3 days……How do I go about doing it, the rates and is it safe? Thanks in advance