Celebrates 10 Millionth Passenger-Milestone

Kuala Lumpur, 24 November 2005: After 3 ½ years of successful operation, Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL), the concessionaire for the high speed KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit train services registered its 10 millionth passenger on 19 September 2005.

A celebration dinner, held tonight at Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal, KL CAT, was graced by the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and his wife, YABhg Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor.

Speaking at the dinner, Dato’ Sri Najib said,” KLIA Ekspres, the high speed train connection between KL International Airport and KL city center was part of the airport’s Master Plan to enhance KLIA as a world-class airport and a regional hub.  With the launch of the ERL project, Kuala Lumpur joined the ranks of the elite few cities to have a City Air Terminal for check-in, with a dedicated high speed rail connection to provide seamless ground to air travel.  I am indeed pleasantly surprised that ERL had welcomed its 10 millionth passenger after barely 3 ½ years of operation. This milestone is certainly an achievement for ERL”

Presently only Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Royal Brunei Airlines provide the check-in facilities at KL CAT.  Dato’ Sri Najib added that he hoped to see more airlines offer such facilities at KL CAT. 

On the upcoming Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in KLIA, Dato’ Sri Najib remarked that the high-speed train service should also be made available to passengers using the LCCT. 

Earlier, ERL Executive Chairman, Dato’ Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, in his welcome speech said that Kuala Lumpur is the first and only Asean Capital to offer city check-in for airline passengers.  With check-out facilities already in place at KL CAT, ERL is eagerly awaiting the government’s implementation of these facilities in KLIA, which has just started and is expected to be completed by 2007. 

Moving on, he said “We have learnt from the successful operation of KLIA Ekspres, and ERL is now ready to take on a bigger role and hope to be given the opportunity to link two Asean capitals, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with a high-speed train connection.”

Later in the evening, five lucky winners were rewarded with attractive prizes for their patronage on the KLIA Ekspres on 19 September 2005. They were:- 

(1)   Puan Emylia Rosnaida, the lucky 10 millionth passenger, who won two business class return tickets Kuala Lumpur - New York, courtesy of Malaysia           Airlines. She was completely overwhelmed and lost for words when a brand new Proton Gen2 was driven into the dinning hall.  It was announced that this was the surprise additional gift for the 10 Millionth passenger from EON. 

(2)   Mr Gordon Herath, the 9,999,999 passenger who won two economy class return tickets Kuala Lumpur-Sydney, courtesy of Royal Brunei Airlines.  

(3)   Miss Freda Yeo who was the 9,999,998 passenger, won two economy class return tickets Kuala Lumpur-Bandar Seri Begawan, courtesy of Royal Brunei Airlines, plus a 3D/2N stay at The Empire Hotel & Country Club Brunei, courtesy of the hotel. 

(4)   Mr Patrick Wee, a Singaporean, who was the 10,000,001 passenger. He won two economy class return tickets Kuala Lumpur- Bangkok courtesy of Malaysia Airlines.

(5)   Puan Norazlain Mohd Nor who won two business class return tickets Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta in the “Guess the ONE Date” contest, courtesy of KLM Air  France.  She guessed the right date in which the 10 millionth passenger traveled on the high-speed train. 

All winners were also presented with one year’s unlimited free travel on KLIA Ekspres. 

Dato’ Nadzmi thanked all the sponsors including The Right Channel, and Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) who sponsored the dinner.

For enquires on this release, media members may call:-

Wei Wen         (03) 2267 8989           

Jacqui             (03) 2267 8018