LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

[sebcoe]

Hi all. I'm looking at going to LIMA '25 in Langkawi in May next year. A first time visit for me both to the show and that part of the world so just looking for any tips from those who have been before.... in particular what days should I plan on being on the island... is it better to be there before the show itself for arrivals etc? How easy is it to get around and so how close to the venue is it advisable to stay..? I'll probably hire a car out there. Any other tips or insights greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[slogen51]

I can't really help but I saw some fantastic photos taken by a (Wattisham) spotter who knows that part of the world - it seems before the show there is a hill side above the airport and the visitors were flying through the overhead below the hill

At the time it made me want to go and I had forgotten about it until this thread

[TornadoVictor]

I went in 2014 & it was fantastic. There are at least half a dozen good vantage points which gives you a lot of opportunities as the sun goes round. They include hillside & hilltop locations plus positions where you can shoot them on the runway. The more days the better & you need transport to move to all of these positions. Best to stay on the island which is duty-free so cheap, especially food. Definitely be there for the arrivals.
Regards
Arthur

[sebcoe]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.
With the show being Tue-Sat - any ideas when the arrivals are likely to be?
Cheers

[TornadoVictor]

It was 2015 not 2014 & this is the Scramble summary of the event:-

The event, consisting of three trade days and two public days, kicked off on 17 March. Aircraft, mainly the demonstration
teams and their support aircraft, started arriving from about 11 March. Rehearsals for the flying display mainly took place
over the weekend of 14-15 March, although the air power demonstration was rehearsed from 13-16 March in the early
morning with the routine being practiced two times on every occasion. On 14 March the air power demonstration was even
rehearsed both AM and PM.

The event was officially opened at 08:30 hrs on Tuesday 17 March by the extensively rehearsed air power demonstration
by the Malaysian Air Force. On trade days the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) situated at Langkawi
airport was opened from 10:00 until 17:30 hrs. This year the flying display took place from 12:30 until 14:30 hrs. The air
power demonstration only took place on the opening day. In addition to the flying display at MIEC, maritime displays
took place at Langkawi World Resorts situated at Porto Malai from 15:30 until 16:30 hrs and this included an anti-terrorism
demonstration featuring an RMN Lynx and two Fennecs, a SAR demonstration by a Malaysian Coast Guard Dauphin and
a firefighting demonstration by a Coast Guard CL-415.

The public days took place on 20 and 21 March and featured the full flying programme. A press day was organised on the
day before the opening and included a rather short walkabout of the static display. In addition a sun-rise photo-shoot
was organised on the last trading day. Unfortunately you were facing the upcoming sun when you wanted to shoot
head-on pictures of the aircraft on the ramp.

Regards
Arthur

[sebcoe]

Thanks for sharing that Arthur v helpful. Looking at the geography of the island I would imagine staying east of the airport would be the best option .. would you agree based on experience of traffic etc?

[TornadoVictor]

We arrived/departed by ferry & stayed nearby on the East side of the island & that was where the cheap food was in the evenings
Arthur

[Andyph]

Does anyone know if airline flights still operate during show days.

Looks like you can book Air Asia to fly into/out of Langkawi during the show days - just wondered if the airline hasn't cottoned onto the fact there is an airshow on?

[TornadoVictor]

There were scheduled flights of multiple airlines throughout the time I was there - the landing & take-offs obviously took the display aircraft into account
Regards
Arthur

[Grass73]

Andy,

As noted already, scheduled flights operate during the duration of the show. However, from experience back in 2023, a lot suffered delays, so if you're thinking of connecting with a flight back in KL I would allow plenty of time.

Regards

Niall

[TornadoVictor]

Andy

Looking back at my photos I got some at the harbour when they did a full display sequence including helicopters & CL415 - worth taking the time to move to the harbour area when that is on.

Regards
Arthur

[Andyph]

Thanks gents much appreciated