Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has officially begun full enforcement of its Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS) following a three-month trial that successfully eased kerbside congestion.
According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the system, which allows drivers a 10-minute grace period for picking up or dropping off passengers, has proven effective in improving traffic flow and encouraging compliance.
“Data from the trial shows that kerbside congestion significantly improves when vehicles observe the 10-minute limit. The vast majority of KLIA users complied, and with full enforcement at Terminal 1 starting 1 December, we are ensuring orderly access so everyone can use the lanes efficiently,” said MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani.
During the trial, the proportion of vehicles exceeding 10 minutes dropped from 50% to 21%, a result MAHB described as encouraging ahead of the year-end travel peak and Visit Malaysia 2026.
VAMS employs license plate recognition to monitor vehicle entry and exit times. Drivers who exceed the 10-minute limit will face penalties ranging from RM10 to RM100, depending on the duration of their overstay.
For those needing additional time, the airport recommends using the short-term car park (first 15 minutes free), long-term car park (first 30 minutes free), or the designated free public waiting area.
