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

[Photogenius]

Langkawi - From the beach - Rehearsal day I - 15 May

Main flypast took place between 0855 and 0925 and comprised of 3 x C-130H and 1 x A400M, then FJ formation of three ( I think 2 x Su-37 1 x F/A-18D) from which the Hornot pulled up to pop flares. 8 x Mixed helicopter formation. The heavies and choppers went round twice but FJ’s didn’t . I would add the Hornet launched from LGK at 0815 and recovered after 0930. The Flankers did not reappear.

FJ solo practices were between 1210 & 1310 with both Flankers and both Hornets practicing. All times local and only noted from my sunbed.

[Photogenius]

I would add that according to adsb there was an A400M loitering on what looked to be an AAR towline southwest of Langkawi at the time as well.

The Maritme display appears to have taken place between 1500-1600L with half a dozen helicopters touting over the pool towards the harbour.

[Photogenius]

Days 2 of display practices. Decided to get my backside to the airport today. Times the same as day 1. The AirPower demonstration was opened by a single Hornet with lots of flares and bangs. This was followed by a single C-130H with 2 x A400M. Then an attack by a further two Hornets and three Flankers. Then an helicopter assault by 2 x Puma before a flyby by a formation of PC-9-11’s ? With the helicopter ensemble following shortly after. The whole event was then repeated a few minutes later.

The lunch time slot was today taken up by the Indonesian KT-1 team and once again at 1500 the helicopters for the Maritime didplay departed. I have not been to the docks but I noted six warships anchors off all looking to be helicopter capable

[Davec7678]

Singapore F-15SG, AH-64 and CH-47 all arrived for static in the last hour

[urshouse]

Sat 17th Malaysian Navy AW139 M503-01 operating in the Maritime Demo area at Resorts World (RWL) Airport arrivals Sat night for LIMA C-390 PT-ZNG & P72 MM62281
Sun 18th Malaysian Navy AW139 M503-02 was operating at RWL From & to Subang late afternoon was A400M M54-03

From the participants list it appears that Indian Hawk(x12) of the Suraya Kirari , display team have scrubbed, However the "PACAF Flyby" seems to be still listed it is quotes as consisting of 2 x B52's 9 x F/A-18's & an E12 anyone have any further details on this ??

[urshouse]

Tue 20t
As I'm not in Langkawi but over the water in George Town Penang at the moments so can any one furnish me with a list from Lima please.

I know TUDM A400Ms M54-01 & 02 took part in this mornings opening & have ids for 5 of the Indonesian PC7s 04/05/07/10/18 Plus TUDM EC 120's 01/03/05 which all flew this morning

Spar 14 C12 83-0498 departed south this morning The TUDM Globex M48-02 visited today as did the Presidential A319 9M-NAA

Any help with this would be great thanks

[urshouse]

Wed 21st

The following support flights have been noted so far today with the help of various tracking sites

in & out 60303 RTAF307 ATR-76
60302 RTAF302 ATR-76
A-7309 SKN02 B737-8
M54-03 RMF 150C A400M
TUDM502 TU502 C295W

Flying 9M-BOE Bomba 08 AW189
VT-KNR Do-228 HAL Demo

Any one care to add?

[jcc140965]

I can add a log for Saturday 24th May 2025 once back in blighty unless anyone beats me to it.