KLIA Aerotrain Services Suspended Due To Mechanical & Electronic Failure

KLIA Aerotrain services at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) which runs between the main and satellite terminals have been suspended for the time being pending further notice.

On the March 1st incident, 114 passengers were stranded mid journey during their train trip due to mechanical and electronic failure. Despite Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB) trying to rectify issues by dispatching a rescue second train to ferry the stranded passengers, that train too experienced a similar fate as the first train.

This resulted in many stranded passengers missing their flight which would receive reimbursement tickets and complementary accommodation from MAHB.

According to MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, “We do sincerely acknowledge that the aerotrain has gone beyond the serviceability level. Today, we categorically say that we do not want our passengers to go through this again. In the interest of passengers' safety, MAHB is taking a decisive move to suspend the Aerotrain service until further notice.”

He further added, in the initial preliminary assessment of the breakdown, MAHB’s engineering team identified faulty internal wiring as the cause of the issue coupled with a host of other mechanical and electronic issues.

Iskandar also mentioned that the KLIA Aerotrain is already 25 years old making issues like parts supply a major concern due to its unavailability due to non-production.

“For us to really determine the entire spectrum of it may involve dismantling all parts including below the platform of the train. This is a 25-year-old asset, there are some parts that are not even supported (anymore) and even the original equipment manufacturer parts are no longer available," said Iskandar Mizal.

However at this juncture, there are no plans to retire the trains until the completion of Aerotrain replacement program with new assets that is able to ferry 270 passengers per train. As for now, MAHB would switch its shuttle operation to the 18 shuttle buses plying the inter-terminal route.