KLIA aerotrain maintenance key ahead of VM2026

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Proper upkeep of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) aerotrain system is vital to ensure smooth operations during peak hours, particularly with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) on the horizon.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Nigel Wong said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's (MAHB) ongoing optimisation works would enhance passenger experience in the year ahead.
"While it may appear to be negative news, the scheduled works are crucial to ensure the aerotrain functions optimally during peak periods. With VM2026 fast approaching, we hope these improvements will significantly enhance the visitor experience.
"Service disruptions happen at airports worldwide. The key is to ensure minimal operational impact and to prevent prolonged breakdowns caused by lack of regular maintenance," he said.
The new aerotrain, officially launched on July 1, is undergoing scheduled two-week maintenance works.
MAHB said the works would be carried out during non-peak hours between midnight and 5am daily to minimise disruption, with airside shuttle buses provided to maintain connectivity between the main terminal and satellite buildings.
However, transport expert Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the system still relied on ageing support infrastructure.
"While the new aerotrain meets current technical standards, having passed 80 system tests and a 2,000km 'fault-free run', it still depends on infrastructure built nearly 27 years ago. This includes critical tunnel drainage systems, which were not upgraded during the RM456 million investment. The drainage pumps that failed during heavy rainfall are original units from the late 1990s," he said.
The former head of policy and planning at the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) described the overnight works as a delayed systems integration exercise.
"Malaysia Airports is now addressing what should have been resolved before launch: software updates, sensor recalibration, real-time drainage mapping and full tunnel cleaning. This is not simply maintenance, it is catch-up work," he said.
Although the aerotrain had secured certification from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and passed all operational tests, Wan Agyl questioned its readiness for real-world conditions, including unpredictable weather, legacy infrastructure and full passenger loads.
"The fact that the system failed just 31 hours after its launch — officiated by the Prime Minister, no less — raises legitimate concerns. There is a difference between being technically cleared and being operationally mature. It is possible the project was 'technically ready' but not resilient enough for live operations at scale," he added.
Calling for a full audit and upgrade of legacy systems, alongside the adoption of predictive maintenance using real-time sensors to detect faults before breakdowns occur, he said: "This two-week maintenance window is a good start, but it must evolve into a continuous digital maintenance regime.
He also urged greater accountability in vendor contracts, including payment linked to performance and penalties for disruptions.
"Publish monthly performance dashboards, explain what has been fixed, and be transparent about ongoing issues. Silence and defensiveness only fuel public distrust.