Loke: KLIA aerotrain disruption caused by older airport infrastructure; upgraded system functioning properly

• Transport Minister Anthony Loke said these incidents, while understandably inconvenient for passengers, actually demonstrate the integrity and reliability of the new aerotrain’s safety systems. "These systems are designed to detect potential hazards and to halt operations rather than risk passenger safety," he added.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the recent Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aerotrain disruption was caused by a failure in the airport’s older infrastructure, not the new train system.

Loke said the service suspension, which lasted for an hour on Friday morning, occurred due to the failure of a drainage pump within the tunnel used by the aerotrain—part of the original KLIA facilities and unrelated to the new aerotrain replacement programme.

“When the pump failed to operate as designed, rainwater accumulated in the tunnel and reached a safety threshold. [This] automatically activates the aerotrain’s safety system to suspend operations as a precaution,” he said in a statement, in response to public speculation over the system failure of the aerotrain, which just restarted operations three days ago.

Loke described the event as a demonstration of "how a modern rail system should function"—placing passenger safety as the highest priority. Services resumed at 12.15pm after the water was cleared and all safety protocols had been completed.

The minister also addressed a separate incident on July 2 (Wednesday), when an aerotrain service was briefly halted due to a passenger obstructing the platform doors. "The aerotrain’s safety features were triggered to prevent the doors from closing forcefully, avoiding potential harm to the individual involved."

Loke added that these incidents, while understandably inconvenient for passengers, actually demonstrate the integrity and reliability of the new aerotrain’s safety systems. "These systems are designed to detect potential hazards and to halt operations rather than risk passenger safety," he added.

Loke reiterated that the new aerotrain assets at KLIA meet international safety and engineering standards, and are operating well.

"Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and my Ministry [of Transport] remain committed to continuously improving services and resolving any issues swiftly to provide safe and seamless journeys for all travellers," Loke said.

The newly upgraded KLIA aerotrain—which has served as the airport’s main internal transport system since its launch in 1998—resumed operations on July 1, after being suspended in March 2023 due to a system breakdown. The new aerotrain set consists of three carriages, can carry up to 270 passengers per trip, and offers enhanced service quality.

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