KLIA Reintroduces Green Lane to Ease International Arrival Congestion

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has launched a new Green Lane system at Terminal 1 to help ease congestion in the international arrivals area and speed up the customs clearance process for travellers.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the system, introduced on Jan 26, aims to improve passenger flow by separating arrivals into different lanes based on whether they have goods to declare. Under the new arrangement, there are two Green Lanes for passengers with nothing to declare and one Red Lane for those who must declare goods or pay duties.

Previously, all international arrivals were processed through a single customs lane, which often resulted in long queues and delays, especially at peak times. Passengers without items needing declaration can now proceed directly to the arrival hall after baggage claim, without mandatory X-ray screening, significantly reducing wait times.

Loke emphasised that the Green Lane measure will not compromise national security. Officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) remain empowered to conduct inspections or redirect passengers to the Red Lane if needed.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), JKDM and AKPS, is being implemented as a one-month pilot until Feb 26, during which its effectiveness will be reviewed and standard procedures refined.

If the trial proves successful, authorities plan to roll out the Green Lane concept at KLIA Terminal 2 and other major international airports including Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang and Johor Bahru.

The pilot is part of broader efforts to enhance traveller experience in anticipation of increased passenger volumes under the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism campaign.