KLIA aerotrain to resume service

The Star

10 hours ago

Loke: It will undergo several more tests before operations start on July 1
SEPANG: After a hiatus of more than two years, passengers travelling through Terminal 1 of the KL International Airport (KLIA) will only have to wait nine more days before they can use its signature aerotrain to get from the main terminal building to the satellite terminal building, and vice versa.
The aerotrain replacement project, which is currently in its final testing phase, is set to begin operations on July 1.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it will undergo several more tests over the coming days, including an emergency response plan test together with the relevant authorities.
'If everything goes well, it will begin operations at 10am on July 1,' said Loke when giving the media a preview of the aerotrain service here yesterday.
He said there will be three train sets on deck, with two operating concurrently during peak hours.
During off-peak hours, or between 12am and 5am, only one train will operate to allow maintenance works to be carried out.
Each train has three carriages and can ferry 270 passengers at one time.
Testing it out: Loke and Izani (second from left) using the aerotrain at KLIA. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
'With the return of the aerotrain, we hope passengers will feel more comfortable in their transit between the main terminal and satellite buildings,' Loke said, adding that the shuttle bus services that were deployed as a stop-gap measure will continue for a while even after the aerotrain resumes service.
Loke also expressed hope that the aerotrain's return will improve KLIA's service and image.
'There will be more Asean meetings coming up in the next few months, with another summit to be held at the end of the year.
'2026 is also a major year as we are organising Visit Malaysia 2026 and the aerotrain is a vital part of preparations here,' he said.
On the series of delays in the resumption of aerotrain services, Loke said it was to ensure safety is made priority.
According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the aerotrain has now entered its final stage of testing.
This comes following the successful completion of the critical fault-free run (FFR) and final detailed inspection by the Land Public Transport Agency.
Under the FFR testing, the first train was required to complete 2,000km of continuous fault-free operations, while the remaining two trains logged 1,000km each.
'This ensures all three trains are fully commissioned and that the system's built-in redundancy is in place for live operations,' it said.
MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, who was also present, said the airport is now in the final stretch of preparations.
'Our volunteers are also participating in trial runs to simulate passenger movements,' he said.
The aerotrain, which came under public scrutiny for frequent breakdowns, had its services suspended in March 2023.
There was an episode where the train stopped midway from the main terminal building and the satellite building.
A second train was deployed to retrieve the stranded passengers, but the rescue train also experienced technical difficulties, resulting in passengers having to complete the journey on foot.