All systems go at KLIA – almost

SEPANG: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is almost back to normal after three days of chaos, following disruptions to its airport management system.

Although not fully operational, key functions including the flight information display system (FIDS), check-in counters and baggage handling system were working yesterday.

There were no long queues at airline counters but many Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) staff were still on hand to help passengers.

Only a handful of flights were delayed, according to the electronic screens showing flight departure and arrival times.

The disruption, which hit on Wednesday night, had caused massive flight delays, and scores of passengers were left stranded and frustrated.

But at noon yesterday, MAHB announced on Twitter that there was “smooth passenger flow at the terminal right now”, thanking people who contributed drinks and food for some of the stranded passengers.

Government servant Suhaimi Bakar, 38, said he got a text message from Malaysia Airlines asking for him to check in four hours earlier before his flight back to Tawau.

He said his gate was changed twice and he was told it could change again.

Suhaimi, who was attending a course in Port Dickson, said he decided to catch an earlier flight back.

“I’m catching Saturday’s flight just in case there are delays. At least I have one day to spare as I am working on Monday, ” he said.

Jamal Hussin, 32, from Bangladesh, said he did not have any trouble at the check-in counter.

The process was normal, everything seemed fine, he said.

“Thankfully, they didn’t cancel my flight today because it’s my last day in Malaysia, ” said the foreign worker, who spent the last five years working at a number plate shop in Klang.

Australian David Mar, 32, said he did not realise there was a problem in KLIA until he arrived here.

“I had no idea about what was happeningat the airport but I guess everything is not that bad, ” said Mar, who was travelling to Langkawi.