Aerotrain Service At KLIA Terminal 1 Fully Restored After Disruption

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has confirmed that the aerotrain service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 has resumed normal operations following a temporary disruption yesterday evening.

The incident occurred at about 8.30 pm, prompting the airport operator to immediately activate contingency measures. 

“Shuttle buses were deployed immediately to ensure uninterrupted passenger transfers between the Main Terminal and Satellite Building. We can confirm that no passengers missed their flights during this period, affirming the efficiency of our contingency plans,” it said in a statement here today.

MAHB said by 9.27 pm the same evening, one train was safely restored to service; and after multiple rounds of safety and operational testing, both trains are currently operating normally. 

According to the company, the incident took place within the defect liability period of the new aerotrain system, which was recently commissioned. 

“An urgent technical meeting was convened with project contractors Alstom and the IJM-Pestech Joint Venture (IPJV), which is also responsible for the design and installation of the power distribution system. The root cause of the disruption is currently under investigation, with the contractor expected to issue a separate detailed technical report,” it added.

Meantime, MAHB has introduced additional assurance measures including thermographic scanning and diagnostic tests to verify the system’s safety and integrity.

The airport operator said it will also closely monitor the rectification work carried out by the contractor.

“This latest incident is particularly disappointing given that the aerotrain system had undergone a stringent testing, commissioning and certification process prior to its launch. This process involved independent consultants, safety professionals and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with all safety and performance standards,” it said.

As part of further precautionary steps, MAHB will appoint an independent assessor to conduct a comprehensive review of the power supply design and installation quality.

“Malaysia Airports remains fully committed to ensuring that the KLIA aerotrain system is safe, reliable and capable of delivering the high standards of service that our passengers expect and deserve,” it added.

-- BERNAMA