LUNAR YEAR DELIGHTS IN KLIA

Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman, and Y.Bhg. Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad signing in at the guest registration table in a traditional manner	Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman, Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad, and Encik Umar Bustamam, accompanied by Ms Amber Chia and traditionally dressed models launching the Chinese New Year Celebration at KLIA
Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman completing the final calligraphy stroke for the letters "Gong Xi Fa Chai"	Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman looking very pleased with his calligraphy artwork, along with Y.Bhg. Puan Sri Sherina Aris, Y.Bhg Datin Sri Annette Bashir, and Y.Bhg. Dato' Seri Bashir Ahmad

LANTERNS are raised, tangerines abound and candy tray filled. Plum blossoms and pine springs are all a-bloom. And then, there are the fortune cookies bearing glad tidings. These and more are the images that herald a new Chinese lunar year. The Chinese New Year, as the Western New Year, signifies turning over a new leaf. Socially, it is a time for family reunions and for visiting friends and relatives.

Those passing through the KL International Airport (KLIA) in the midst of visiting and travelling will not be left out of this auspicious celebration as the sense of the festivities here is in high gear. Going by the cycle of the 12 animal names in the Chinese calendar, this year is the Year of the Dog.

KLIA celebrates this modest yet marvellous outlook to fortune and prosperity by making sure visitors and travellers flying through don't miss out on the fun!

When launching KLIA's Chinese New Year promotions today, Y.Bhg Tan Sri Datuk Dr Aris Othman, Chairman of Malaysia Airports said that efforts to enhance the image and status of the airport as a 'shopping haven' for both international and local airline passengers have been ongoing.

In 2002, it introduced the KLIA Shopping Campaign, which has now gone into its fifth phase. With each phase, shoppers were given various incentives to shop at the airport through promotions and contests.

Its most recent one is the KLIA Shopping 'Real Value Real Style' campaign which started in November 2005, to end on March 31 2006, it offers consumers great opportunities to win attractive prizes when they shop. They could redeem their receipts for chances to join the contests.

'This has created good vibes among those who pass through the airport, either on transit or for long hauls, and have encouraged them to spend money at KLIA,' said Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman.

For Chinese New Year, at three locations in KLIA namely the Main Terminal Building, Satellite and Domestic Airside Terminal, people could participate in cultural delights like calligraphy writing for free form 9am till 9pm from January 15 to February 13 2006.

Another exciting feature is the Flying Emporium, which was introduced recently at KLIA's Domestic Airside Terminal. For the first time domestic passengers can enjoy an interesting array of thins form confectionary, books, toys, newspapers and magazines to luggage, cosmetics, fragrances and watches in one place as offered by the emporium.

On the 4th and 5th day of Chinese New Year, there will be Mandarin oranges and Ang Pow distributed by pretty models.

Of course, those who wish to pen these details to loved ones could do so at the redemption counters without any charge because postcards will be distributed for free by Malaysia Airports. "The campaign helps showcase what Malaysia is about - a country rich in culture and one which embraces the heritage and tradition of each race," said Tan Sri Aris.

The success of its shopping campaign has helped Malaysia Airports in achieving its goal of putting the airport and the country on the world map for travellers.

In conclusion, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Aris said that Malaysia Airport, already voted second best airport in the category of 15-25 million passengers per annum by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airports Council International (ACI) in the 2004 AETRA survey, hopes to chart more successes in 2006.

The beginning of a joyous Chinese New Year Celebration at KLIA