A man recently claimed he was charged an “unreasonable” RM100 fee for dropping off his mother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), sparking a wider debate online about drop-off rules at the airport.
The complaint was posted on social media, where the man accused Malaysia Airports of profiting unfairly from motorists.
‘RM100 for just 34 minutes’
According to his post, the incident happened when he sent his mother to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 so she could return to her hometown.
He said the airport was crowded, so he planned to simply drop her off instead of parking.
However, he claimed he ended up being “stuck” while accompanying his mother inside, and was later charged RM100 after staying at the drop-off zone for 34 minutes.
In a nutshell, here were his complaints:
- He was charged RM100 for just 34 minutes
- If 1,000 cars were charged the same daily, it would be easy money
- He accused the airport of being “cruel” and said he did not “halalkan” the way money was taken
KLIA responds
In the comments section, KLIA clarified that the area used by the man was strictly a drop-off zone, meant only for passengers to alight before vehicles leave immediately.
According to KLIA, the zone is monitored using the Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS), which detects vehicles that remain in the area for more than 10 minutes.
KLIA explained that the system was introduced to reduce traffic congestion, ensure smoother passenger movement, and prevent vehicles from lingering in high-traffic drop-off lanes.
They stressed that once passengers are dropped off, drivers are required to exit the area and that it is not meant for waiting or parking.
KLIA also suggested other options for drivers who need extra time, including:
- Short-term parking at Terminal 1, where the first 15 minutes are free
- Long-term parking, with the first 30 minutes free
- Public waiting areas, which are free to use
They also thanked users for their cooperation and urged motorists to follow the signage displayed around the airport.
It is a penalty, not a parking fee
Many netizens pointed out that the RM100 was not a parking charge, but a penalty for overstaying in a zone limited to 10 minutes.
Others reminded drivers that:
- Drop-off zones are strictly for unloading passengers
- Those who want to accompany family members inside should park properly
- Clear signage is already displayed warning of penalties
One commenter said that if drivers want time to hug, say goodbye, or take things slow, they should park instead, noting that parking rates are not expensive for short durations.
Another netizen criticised the man, arguing that he had clearly violated the drop-off conditions in a private airport area.
Some users also shared that they had recently used the same drop-off zone without any issues and that warning signs were clearly visible.
Watch the clip here:
