Aerotrain timeline not affected by privatisation: MAHB chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: The timeline for completion of the Aerotrain project at KL International Airport (KLIA) is completely unrelated to the recent privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), said its chairman Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi.
Dismissing speculation that a delay was linked to the company's privatisation, the chairman attributed it to multiple changes in government and leadership over the years.
"In my view, any professional would know how to deal with obsolescence and replacement, and would make sure of its timely execution.
"No, it has nothing to do with privatisation. The time taken was due to too many changes in government since recent years, which impacted the decision-making process," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.
He noted that a decision to replace the Aerotrain was made as early as 2016, but subsequent political shifts in 2018 until 2022 caused delays in implementation.
"Over the past six years, we've had five prime ministers, five chairmen, and five chief executive officers. Every time there is a change, it affects the decision-making process.
"While management was aware of the need to replace the train and recommended it, circumstances beyond our control slowed the process," he explained.
The chairman assured that the Aerotrain project is now progressing as scheduled, with testing currently underway.
"Everything is in place. The train is on the track, the power supply is ready and testing is ongoing. Since it's a public transport system, we must obtain approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and the service is expected to be operational by the second quarter of this year," he said.
The Aerotrain, which serves as a vital mode of transport between the airport terminals, was suspended in March 2023 for maintenance and upgrading works after a breakdown, with an initial promise to restore service in time for the new year.
The service, which had been in operation for 25 years, has been a backbone of KLIA's internal transport network since 1998.
In January this year, MAHB announced that the Aerotrain service would resume in the second quarter of 2025.
— BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Aerotrain back on track soon
SEPANG: The bane of air travellers at the KL International Airport (KLIA) is set to be over with its broken down aerotrain to resume operations soon. The issue has been a major grouse and national embarrassment, with the facility out of service for over two years. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the media will be invited for a test run next week before services resume for air travellers. However, he did not provide a specific date for resumption of services. 'We will ensure that the media is the first to test the aerotrain before it becomes operational,' he said after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Selangor Aero Park (SAP) here yesterday. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) missed the first deadline of getting the aerotrain ready by Jan 31, and put off the target to the second quarter of the year. Big things ahead: Loke (centre) breaking ground at the Selangor Aero Park @ KLIA Aeropolis, Sepang, flanked by Amirudin (third from left) and Malaysia Airports chairman Nungsari Ahmad Radhi (third from right) as well as other guests. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star The RM742.95mil aerotrain replacement project was only 85% completed at the start of the year. The aerotrain service was suspended indefinitely in March 2023 after two major breakdowns. On Feb 27 that year, an aerotrain halted midway on the track from the main terminal to the satellite building. A second train which was deployed also experienced technical difficulties, forcing travellers to walk to the satellite building. On March 1, 114 passengers were stranded when the aerotrain broke down again and had to walk about 500m to the satellite building, causing 10 passengers to miss their flights. On the SAP, Loke said the concept complemented the government's aspirations to turn KLIA Aeropolis into a leading air cargo hub in the region. 'We have the recipe and pre-conditions said to be unmatched by any other country in the Asean region, as KLIA has a 10km by 10km area which spans 100sq km. 'With this space, various plans can be implemented,' he said. Loke said with three parallel runways in KLIA presently, there is potential to build up to five runways. Loke also said the SAP, a project between MAHB and Mentri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), will become a specific industry zone targeting companies in the aerospace manufacturing and supply chain sector. The SAP is a key component of the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030 to generate RM55.2bil in annual aerospace revenue and create over 32,000 high-income jobs by 2030. Spanning 242.8ha within the KLIA Aeropolis, the park has a potential gross development value of RM2.3bil. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who was present, said the SAP was already 50% booked.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
KLIA Aerotrain back on track? Transport minister says media to get ‘first hand look' next week
SEPANG, June 5 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke today said he will provide an update next week on the progress of the new Aerotrain service at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). He said the media will be given a tour of the upgraded train service before it goes into operation. 'We will invite you (the media) to KLIA next week to take a first-hand look,' Loke said after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Selangor Aero Park here. The KLIA Aerotrain service is slated to resume in the second quarter (Q2) of this year. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Managing Director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani previously said several technical aspects need to be resolved before the relaunch to ensure the system runs smoothly and complies with all safety requirements. The Aerotrain, a key component of KLIA's internal transport system since 1998, was suspended in March 2023 following a breakdown. The new Aerotrain system is expected to improve the passenger experience, reduce operational disruptions, and support the anticipated increase in air passenger traffic in the coming years. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Media to get ‘first-hand look' at new KLIA Aerotrain next week
The Aerotrain was suspended in March 2023 after a breakdown for maintenance and upgrading works. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The press will be given a tour of KLIA's new and improved Aerotrain service next week, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook. Loke said he will give an update on the service, which has been suspended since March 2023, and give the media a tour before it begins operations, Bernama reported. 'We will invite (the media) to KLIA next week to take a first-hand look,' Loke was quoted as saying. The Aerotrain was suspended in March 2023 after a breakdown for maintenance and upgrading works. After some delays, it was expected to resume operations in the second quarter of this year. The service, which has operated for 25 years, has been a backbone of KLIA's internal transport network since 1998. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Izani Ghani previously said several technical aspects needed to be resolved before the Aerotrain resumed operations to ensure that it runs smoothly and complies with safety requirements.
