GTR opens new airfreight hub at Kuala Lumpur Airport

GTR (Ground Team Red), a joint venture between AirAsia and SATS, has opened a new airfreight hub at Kuala Lumpur Airport’s Air Cargo Terminal 1.

The hub was officially opened by Malaysia’s minister of transport, YB Loke Siew Fook; chief executive of AirAsia Group, Tony Fernandes; president of AirAsia Group (Airlines), Bo Lingam; president and chief executive of SATS; Alex Hungate, chief executive of GTR, Kevin Chin; chief executive of AirAsia Malaysia, Riad Asmat; and chief executive of Teleport, Pete Chareonwongsak.

The new 93,000 sq ft facility, which cost MYR 23 million to build, adds additional storage space to the existing 40,000 sq ft warehouse. Together, the old and new facilities will be able to process 300,000 tons of airfreight per year and will bring Malaysia closer to its goal of being a regional logistic hub.

The new hub has a motorised materials handling system that allows ULDs to be efficiently processed. It also has a 10,000 sq ft dedicated cold chain facility for the handling of perishable and pharma cargo, as well as zones for dangerous goods, pets and valuable cargo handling.

The minister of transport, YB Loke Siew Fook, said: “I would like to congratulate GTR on the launch of their air cargo hub today, and their efforts to enhance airline ground handling operations in Malaysia. I would also like to see GTR replicate this facility – in particular, their cold-room capabilities – to other airports in Malaysia to add further value to our ambition of developing Malaysia as a logistics hub.”

GTR chief executive, Kevin Chin, added: “With global eCommerce players investing in the region, the increased capacity and digitalisation will enhance air cargo handling services. We will continue our efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s position to become a world class logistics hub in the region by adding capabilities in other parts of Malaysia.”