PETALING JAYA: The brief suspension of KLIA’s aerotrain service over the past two days was not due to a breakdown of the train itself but is actually a reflection of the train’s advanced safety features, says Anthony Loke.
Responding to viral news about the recent disruption just a few days after service resumed after a more than two-year hiatus, the Transport Minister said the disruptions were caused by activation of the train’s safety features.
“Friday morning’s disruption was due to a technical fault in one of the drainage pumps within the existing infrastructure at KLIA. These pumps are part of the airport’s legacy facilities and not part of the new aerotrain replacement programme.
“When the pump failed to operate as designed, rainwater accumulated in the tunnel and reached a safety threshold, automatically activating the aerotrain’s safety systems to suspend operations as a precaution.
“This is precisely how a modern rail system should function – prioritising passenger safety above all else,” he said in a statement yesterday to address the issue that had since gained wide traction.
Heavy rain near KLIA led to water accumulating on the track after the pump failure, which caused the train to stop at 11am.
In a statement yesterday, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) said one of the pumps experienced a technical fault during the downpour, preventing the automatic removal of water.
“As a safety precaution, train operations were suspended until the water was manually cleared, and the tracks were confirmed safe for use,” it said, adding that the aerotrain was cleared to run again at 12.15pm, with passenger movements facilitated by its fleet of airside shuttle buses.
Loke attributed the July 2 disruption to a passenger obstructing the platform doors from closing.
“The aerotrain’s safety features were triggered to prevent the doors from closing forcefully, avoiding potential harm to the individual involved.
“This safety response was intentional and appropriate. Both these incidents, though regrettable for passengers’ convenience, actually demonstrate the integrity and reliability of the new aerotrain’s safety systems,” he said.
On its part, MAHB said it remains committed to providing a seamless and reliable travel experience at KLIA.
“Our technical teams will continue to monitor the aerotrain system closely during these early stages of operations to ensure any operational adjustments are promptly addressed,” it added.
Following several breakdowns, the original aerotrain that had been installed since the opening of KLIA in 1998 was taken out of service in March 2023 for a full replacement programme.
