The KLIA will be developed in three phases, the first phase which is scheduled to be completed by 1997 and operational by 1998. In its initial phase, the airport operating around the clock, will be able to handle 25 million passengers and one million tonnes of cargo a year. Sixty contact piers, 20 remote parking bays with 80 aircraft parking posotions, one mega terminal, one satellite, two runways each and others facilities will be made available to accommodate a throughput of 25 million passengers per annum.

To cater for growth in the long run and avoid repeating the problem Subang Airport is facing this moment, the KLIA has been designed as a four-runway airport although only two will be in operation on opening day.Further developments to KLIA will enable it to handle up to 100 mppa.

The KLIA is developed with the concept of "An Airport In The Forest and The Forest In The Airport. These concepts use the forest as a potent symbol of Malaysia's national identity whilst highlighting the ecologically aware nature of Malaysia's Vision 2020.

The architecture of all the new airport facilities will maximise the use of the forest concept and imagery at the most effective strategic locations, all designed with high standards of environment performance in mind. Within these overall concepts the architecture of the new airport would reflect the primary design theme of the main terminal complex buliding as a symbiosis of "High-tech Malaysian Identity"

Work on the enabling works comprising the construction of site entrace roads and site link roads commenced in late October 1993 while the bulk earthworks commenced in eraly january 1994. All construction works are expected to be completed towards the end of 1997 for the new KLIA to be operational by early 1988.