KUCHING AIRPORT review : 19 June 2008 : by A Hazemi

Customer Rating : 3/5

New Kuching International Airport. New duty free shops are far better than the previous terminal. They have Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (for departing pax only) and Marry Brown. Apart from it Starbucks and KFC can be found on the main departure level. New shopping style for sending off folks is to be experienced at the departure level (before immigration counter). In a way KCH has made a lot of improvement since last time. The hardest part might be that KCH does not serve many international routes incomparable to its sister airport Kota Kinabalu and Penang International.

Kuching Airport by H Fontaine

4 April 2008   Customer Rating :

They appeared to have doubled the size of the old facility but they didn’t just add on. It appears to be a complete remodel with good quality materials. Lots of marble and wood. Those who flew into the old facility will be happy to know that the air conditioning will now actually keep you cool! (The old airport was always hot.) Some of the other reviews complained of a lack of stores but I didn’t find this the case. Of course some of those are a year old and the airport has changed. There are several places to buy magazines and reading materials, they have a pharmacy, and some local stalls as well. They also have a Starbucks, which is the first one in Kuching I believe. The restaurants include those with local food and even a KFC for those of you who only eat western food. Immigration was very friendly upon arrival and Check in went very smoothly upon leaving.

Kuching Airport by Kenneth Chong

25 February 2008   Customer Rating :

The remodelled terminal is futuristic with 36 check-in counters. There are now 4 Luggage Claims, you can get good coffee with Starbuck located on public concourse Level 3 and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Level 2, departure lounge. Hopefully there will be a bookshop soon. There are now 10 gates, with 9 aerobridges.

Kuching Airport by Robert Marshall

24 March 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

This airport has doubled in size. Very posh with lots of marble tiles. It has weaknesses, which were there before it was enlarged. Security is not acceptable by modern standards. I was in transit KUL/SBW but could wander about landside and airside with no restrictions. Check in for early flights (07.00) is not catered for. There was nowhere open to get coffee, and nowhere to sit while waiting the two hours. As I was flying within Malaysia, I expected to use the 'Domestic' gate. Not allowed. None of the airport staff seem interested in the welfare of passengers. I expect this from MAS, but not from the airport as well. A great missed opportunity. It could be good, but let down by the employees.

Kuching Airport by Hank Fontaine

9 January 2007

I fly in and out of S.E. Asia on a regular basis and have flown into Kuching multiple times over the past 10 years or so. I must say the complete remodel of the airport is wonderful. When I say complete remodel I mean completely different place. Gone are the dated and tacky cement with minimal decorations. They have since been replaced by beautiful new shiny wood panels and flooring. The metallic trim has more of a nickel finish than cheap chrome. It’s much classier and actually relaxing. It’s a smaller, cozier KLIA with a touch of Stockholm Airport thrown in. The terminal itself has doubled in size and it seems they have several new runways. I actually wonder about the size since much of the terminal seemed empty but I guess they are planning for the future. The layout is generally much more streamlined and efficient in my opinion and the shops more inviting. Finding your way around is also extremely easy now as they have increased the amount of signage. Kuching airport used to be a hot humid place. The air conditioning system seemed like it couldn’t keep up with the tropical climate. This trip I found it cool and refreshing throughout.

Kuching Airport by Phil Palmer

3 July 2005

Having travelled to Kuching each year for the last 10 years it is with delight tha I saw this year that it is finally being upgraded. The new upper level departure hall will enhance the departure efficiency which can, at the moment only be described as organised chaos. Along with the upgrade it is hoped that the duty free shops will stay open for flights later in the evening ie Kuching/Perth.

Kuching Airport by I Wong

6 May 2005

KCH is undergoing major upgrade at the moment, adding to a new terminal, lengthening its existing runway and increasing numbers of airbridges to nine. We could see more facilities will be added once it is completed in 2008. Current international departure hall on second floor has nothing special with handful of shops only. Check-in area is very dated and in need of a new and wider space. Hope to see more international airlines flying into KCH, which could be a refresh after mostly MAS and AK B737s.

Kuching Airport by Alfian Hazemi

21 April 2005

Kuching Airport really needs some improvements in all of its infrastructure. However departing or arriving via Kuching was a pleasant experience for me. The check in staffs gave their best to ensure passengers comfort. The immigration staffs were as well friendly. However the selection of duty free goods were less especially for international passengers flying out to their destination without transiting in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The restaurant (or best-likely to be called a bar) offered less selection of menu. I just cant imagine how Kuching Airport could invite more international passengers using Kuching with its current conditions.