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- The airport operator said the latest disruption was "disappointing" given that the aerotrain system had undergone a stringent testing, commissioning, and certification process prior to its launch.
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (KL:MAHB) will appoint an independent assessor to review the power supply design and installation quality of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aerotrain system following the latest disruption on Wednesday night.
In a statement, the airport operator said the incident was "disappointing" given that the aerotrain system had undergone a stringent testing, commissioning, and certification process prior to its launch.
It was the aerotrain's 20th incident attributed to both technical and human-related issues in less than four months of operations.
The airport operator said it has convened an urgent technical meeting with the senior management of its project contractors—French manufacturer Alstom SA and the joint venture between IJM Corp Bhd (KL:IJM) and Pestec International Bhd (KL:PESTEC) (IPJV)— who are also responsible for the power distribution system’s design and installation.
"The root cause of the disruption is still under investigation, and the contractor will be issuing a separate statement to provide a detailed technical explanation," MAHB said in a media release on Thursday.
MAHB has deployed additional assurance measures, including thermographic scanning and other diagnostic tests, to verify the integrity and safety of the system.
“We will continue to closely monitor the rectification works undertaken by the contractor,” MAHB said, adding that the previous testing and commissioning process involved "independent consultants, safety professionals, and regulatory authorities" to ensure compliance with all safety and performance standards.
The breakdown occurred around 8.30pm on Wednesday. Shuttle buses were deployed to facilitate passenger transfers between the main terminal and satellite building. MAHB confirmed that no passengers missed their flights.
By 9.27pm, one train was safely restored to service, and both trains have since resumed normal operations following multiple rounds of safety and operational testing, it said.
The disruption took place within the aerotrain’s defects liability period, during which the contractors remain responsible for rectifying any faults.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook earlier told the Parliament that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) would initiate enforcement action against MAHB over the repeated breakdowns since resuming operations.
Loke said that as a licensed operator, MAHB could face fines if it fails to maintain satisfactory service standards, despite being a government-linked company.
The 25-year-old aerotrain service, which connects KLIA’s main terminal and satellite building, was suspended for more than two years since March 2023 before resuming operations on July 1.
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