Aerotrain service at KLIA suspended due to technical problems

SEPANG: All Aerotrain operations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Main Terminal have been suspended until further notice, says Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

Its managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said this was because the existing trains were constantly breaking down given that the assets are 25 years old.

"Aerotrain operations were suspended since the breakdown yesterday and we made the official announcement on Thursday (March 2).

"We truly apologise for the inconvenience caused but we had to take this decision as safety is our utmost priority," he told a press conference at KLIA on Thursday (March 2).

On the cause of the breakdown, Iskandar said it was due to its circuit breakers being tripped.

"This happened to the first train that broke down, with the second train (sent to ferry stranded passengers) also experiencing technical difficulties.

"These are, however preliminary findings, as we have to dismantle all parts of the train (including the platforms) to diagnose the real cause of the issue," he said.

He added that round-the-clock shuttle bus services would be provided to assist passengers heading towards the Satellite Building.

The max capacity for passengers for each bus was 40 at a time, he said.

Iskandar added that 114 passengers were stranded by the Aerotrain breakdown on Wednesday (March 1), resulting in them having to walk almost half a kilometre to the Satellite Building.

"Assistance was given where possible. The 10 passengers who missed their flights were also compensated with new flight tickets and accommodation," he said.

On Monday (Feb 27), an Aerotrain halted mid-way on the tracks from the KLIA Main Terminal Building to the Satellite Building.

A second train was immediately deployed for stranded passengers but it unfortunately experienced technical difficulties, resulting in passengers having to walk towards the Satellite Building.