The Aerotrain service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is expected to resume full 24-hour operations by end of May, which is a major step towards restoring smooth passenger movement at one of Malaysia’s biggest airport.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the system is currently in final phase of restoration, following the completion of technical tests by Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB).
According to Loke, a full report on the completed test has been submitted to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) for evaluation and safety validation. The service is running already, but operations are paused for few hours at night to wallow for maintenance and track inspections. These temporary stop will be removed when its fully approved.
The Aerotrain system has faced ongoing challenge in recent years, as some of the components are over 25 years old.
The most serious disruption was in March last year, when a major mechanical failure made the complete suspension of service. Passengers had to walk on the tracks to reach the terminal, an incident that drew attention from everyone.
In response, MAHB launched a train replacement programme and did significant upgrades to the rail system to improve safety and reliability. During this time, shuttle bus service were introduced to help transport passenger between main terminal and satellite buildings.
The return of full 24-hour Aerotrain operation is a key milestone to improve airport experience and reduce people relying on shuttle bus. With the approvals still in process, passengers can expect a more smoother way to travel to the airport again.
Sources: NST
