klia2 terminal yet to get compliance certificate

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has yet to receive the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) for the klia2 terminal in Sepang from its main contractor, the joint venture (JV) between UEM Construction Sdn Bhd and Bina Puri Holdings Bhd (UEMC-Bina Puri JV). The issuance of the CCC was initially scheduled for Jan 31, then postponed to Feb 28.

Sources close to the matter said the airport operator has yet to receive the CCC from UEMC-Bina Puri JV, but has allowed the confirmed tenants of retailers, government agencies and airlines at the new low-cost-carrier terminal to start renovation works there.

“The [second phase of the] Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (Orat) tests for external stakeholders, such as government agencies and airlines, will start soon,” a source told The Edge Financial Daily yesterday.

Under the original plan, Orat tests, which comprise two key phases, will be undertaken at the RM4 billion klia2 for three months prior to its May 2 opening upon obtaining the CCC. A CCC indicates that the building is safe to be occupied.

However, it is understood that MAHB has begun Phase 1 of the Orat assessment, which does not involve other stakeholders, even without receiving the CCC for the terminal from UEMC-Bina Puri JV. The assessment involves thorough tests of all aspects of the terminal and will take place to ensure operational and efficiency readiness from the first day of operation.

MAHB was due to release a press statement on the matter yesterday, but it was postponed at the eleventh hour. It is understood that a statement will be issued today.

Meanwhile, renovation works for the main tenant of klia2 — AirAsia Bhd — are expected to include a lounge (close to 2,000 sq ft), office space for ticketing and lost and found, as well as ramp services.

In a Feb 13 report, AirAsia group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes told The Edge Financial Daily that the budget airline had yet to make preparations to move its fleet and operations to the terminal despite the scheduled May 2 opening as it had not received a letter or notice from MAHB.

However, Malindo Air CEO Chandran Rama Muthy (pic) was quoted as saying that the hybrid airline had received a letter from the airport operator to start renovation works at the terminal. He added that the job should take about six to seven weeks to complete.


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 04, 2014.