Kulim International Airport is a proposed airport and aerotropolis located in the state of Kedah, northwest Malaysia. The proposed location is in the south of Kedah, next to Penang.
The airport was first announced in 2014 by the Kedah state government to function as a passenger and cargo airport. it was then proposed to be a cargo airport, but the project has still not been approved by the federal government.
Kedah currently has two airports: Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar), and Langkawi International Airport. The Kulim International Airport site is about halfway between Alor Setar and Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh, Perak. It’s location near Penang is also seen as a competitor to Penang International Airport.
Maps of Kulim International Airport
This map shows the proposed location of Kulim International Airport. Also on the map are the other airports of Kedah and airports in the neighbouring states of Penang and Perak.
[Proposed location of Kulim International Airport.]
Kulim International Airport plan.
[Map by
Map by StarGraphic.
Infographic of Kulim International Airport in relation to Penang International Airport.
[Infographic NST by Ahmad Yusri.]
Kulim District in Kedah State (next to Penang State).
[Map by Zh9567 via Wikimedia Commons.]
Links and resources
kxp-airport.com
“KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd, KXP AirportCity Holdings is a wholly-owned company of the Kedah State Government through the ownership of Perbadanan Kemajuan Neger Kedah (PKNK) and State Secretary, Kedah (Incorporated). Established on 4 March 2019, the company was incorporated to undertake the development of Kedah Aerotropolis which Kulim International Airport (KXP) will be the nucleus development of the whole Kedah Aerotropolis project. The business modality of Kedah Aerotropolis which is through a full Private Funding Initiative (PFI) scheme.”
Kulim International Airport (KXP) – Official page by investkedah.com.
“The proposed site for Kedah Aerotropolis is at Mukim Sidam Kiri of the Kuala Muda District. This 9,800-acre development will consist of the Kulim International Airport (KXP) and the Sidam Logistics, Aerospace & Manufacturing Hub (SLAM).”
KXP | KULIM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT | Kedah (Kulim) – News and discussion at SkyscraperCity Forum.
News archive
2025
Gov’t needs more information before greenlighting Kedah Aerotropolis project — MOT – [20/11/25]
“The federal government will give further consideration to approving the Kedah Aerotropolis development project once KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd respond with the additional information requested by the Ministry of Transport (MOT).”
Kedah Aerotropolis hits a snag – [31/08/25]
“Final approval of the long-awaited Kedah Aerotropolis project will only be considered once technical, safety and financial concerns over the project are resolved, says the Transport Ministry.”
Kedah Aerotropolis on hold pending safety and financial concerns resolved, says ministry – [30/08/25]
Issues still pending on Kedah Aerotropolis project, says Loke – [29/08/25]
“The government will only consider green-lighting the Kedah Aerotropolis project proposed five years ago once issues raised by the air force (RMAF) and Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) are resolved, the transport minister says.”
Kulim airport will complement, not compete with Penang, says Kedah councillor – [14/08/25]
“The state government will press for the inclusion of the Kulim International Airport (KXP) project in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), describing it as crucial not only for Kedah, but also for the nation.”
2024
Kedah MB reportedly in talks with China delegation on Kulim International Airport project – [10/06/24]
Kedah to proceed with Kulim International Airport project – [10/06/24]
“The Kedah state government, through KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd (KXP AirportCity), is continuing its efforts with the Kulim International Airport (KXP) project.’
2023
Kedah Aerotropolis eyes world hub distribution center role, to depart from passengers, cargo belly businesses plan – [22/11/23]
“The proposed Kedah Aerotropolis mega project will proceed with an all-new business model to serve as a ‘world hub distribution centre’.
KXP AirportCity Holdings board of director member Tan Sri Jamilus Hussein said Kedah Aerotropolis is departing from its initial plan of integrating passengers flight and cargo belly services.”
KXP AirportCity, Tahira Air sign joint venture deal to develop Kedah Aerotropolis, says MB – [22/11/23]
“KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd, a company wholly owned by the Kedah State Development Corporation (PKNK) today signed a joint venture agreement with Tahira Air Sdn Bhd to establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to continue the development of the Kedah Aerotropolis project.”
Govt says no-go for Kulim airport for now – [01/07/23]
“Based on the National Airports Strategic Plan findings, the ministry believes that there is currently no need for a new airport to be developed under the Kedah Aerotropolis project as the existing facilities at the Penang International Airport are still capable of handling cargo and passenger demand”.
Drop personal interests, approve Kulim airport: Sanusi to Anwar – [22/06/23]
Transport Ministry going through feasibility study reports on Kulim airport – [13/06/23]
“KXP Airportcity Holdings Sdn Bhd, the Kedah-owned company tasked with the development of the Kulim International Airport, has furnished the Transport Ministry with two feasibility study reports for the project.”
Airport project that’s still struggling to take off – [04/04/23]
“Most experts agree the Kulim International Airport project is not viable, a view that has gained traction as the cost multiplies and a strategic partner pulls out.”
Airport in Kulim has no potential return-on-investment, says transport expert – [01/03/23]
Kulim airport still viable despite being sidelined during Budget 2023: Sanusi – [26/02/23]
“Project developed through private investment initiative, Kedah MB stresses.”
Give us the nod for Kedah airport project, Sanusi tells Anwar – [26/02/23]
“Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Md Nor has asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to support and approve the Kedah Aerotropolis logistics hub project, saying it would not require any funds from the federal government.”
Budget 2023: RM7bil Kulim Airport project cancelled as airports in Penang & Subang get major upgrade? – [24/02/23]
Putrajaya yet to finalise approval for Kulim International Airport, says Transport Ministry – [16/02/23]
2022
Kedah Aerotropolis attracts global MRO, aerospace and aviation players – [21/10/22]
Developer for RM7bil Kulim airport drops out – [08/07/22]
“Top Kedah official says seven or eight interested parties are now vying for the project after ECK Group failed to provide the deposit for land acquisition.”
Kulim airport developer made ‘a windfall’ without paying a sen, says Mukhriz – [05/04/22]
“Former Kedah menteri besar says ECK Group was to spend RM6 billion in the first phase of the project under its agreement with the Kedah state government.”
2021
Why was airport project given to firm under Amla probe, asks NGO – [23/09/21]
“The Kedah menteri besar has been asked to explain the state government’s decision to award the contract to build the Kulim airport to a firm that is being probed under an anti-money laundering act.”
Kulim airport to focus on passengers – [23/08/21]
“The planned Kulim International Airport (KXP) is projected to rely heavily on passenger traffic despite repeated statements that it is to be a cargo airport, at least initially.”
Kedah signs deal with ECK Group to build Kulim International Airport – [02/08/21]
Butterworth-Kulim airport link planned under blueprint – [02/07/21]
Looming Kulim airport study gives rise to Malay reserve land concerns – [27/02/21]
“Purchase of land below market price only to flip it for inflated sum, outright acquisition instead of one done in stages also among potential issues.”
Kedah picks ECK Group as partner in controversial Kulim airport project – [24/02/21]
“Company will also be involved in developing Kedah Aerotropolis, Airport City.”
Company to inject RM2bil to acquire land for Kulim airport project – [17/02/21]
2020
Wee: Kulim International Airport approved ‘only in principle’ – [30/10/20]
Kedah clears first hurdle for proposed Kulim International Airport, says MB – [28/10/20]
“Kedah cleared its first hurdle for the construction of the Kulim International Airport (KXP) when the government approved the proposed project at the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) meeting yesterday.”
Kulim airport appoints French firm to draw master plan – [11/02/20]
“KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd has appointed Aeroport de Paris Ingenierie (ADPI) to draw up a development masterplan for the Kulim International Airport (KXP) Aerotropolis.”
Mukhriz hopes Kulim International Airport will be operational in 2024 – [13/01/20]
2019
Kulim airport to have two runways – [28/08/19]
“A presentation file from Kedah’s Budget 2020 dialogue shows that the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP) will have two runways, sitting on a 17sq km piece of land at the state’s border with Penang.”
Small padi town earmarked for new Kulim airport – [22/05/19]
“Sidam Kiri, a stone’s throw from Padang Serai and Kulim, is set to be the site for the new airport.”
No racial slant intended in opinion on Kulim airport – [06/05/19]
“However, there have been attempts by BN in the past to move projects away from Penang.”
Putrjaya must engage with Penang on Kulim International Airport – [06/05/19]
Kulim airport a privately-funded effort, Lim tells Penang – [30/04/19]
Kulim airport location ideal to develop into cargo hub, says analyst – [30/03/19]
“It will in turn enable Penang airport to achieve an international financial hub status like Singapore, he adds.”
Penang uneasy with proposed Kulim airport – [14/02/19]
“Chief minister asks whether a second airport in the northern region is necessary as Penang already has a seaport and an airport to handle cargo.”
2017
Proposed Kulim airport may cost RM3.89 bil – [03/12/17]
“Kedah’s plan to have an international airport built in Kulim to serve the northern region is estimated to cost RM3.89 billion, sources say. This is higher than initial estimates of RM2 billion to RM3 billion, and includes land acquisition costs.”
Kulim airport feasibility study to be made known in next few months – [19/04/17]
2016
Kedah’s padi fields hindering progress – [04/10/16]
Kedah wants full-fledged airport in Kulim – [15/04/16]
“The proposed Kulim International Airport (code-named KXP) is back to being a full-fledged passenger and cargo airport in the final proposal to be submitted by the Kedah government to the prime minister in the third quarter of 2016.”
2014
Proposed Kulim airport to cost RM1.6 bln, says Mukhriz – [23/06/14]
New international airport to meet north zone needs: Mukhriz – [14/06/14]
Kedah hopes for another international airport in Kulim – [12/06/14]
State government to build international airport in Kulim soon – [12/06/14]
“Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said that the state government was in preliminary discussions with the Federal government to build an international airport in Kulim, Kedah.”
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