Every smooth take-off is made possible by the unseen hands that keep the airport running safely and efficiently, day and night.
Every take-off and landing is powered by KLIA’s unsung heroes
EVERY day, a least a thousand flights take off and land at KL International Airport (KLIA).
Most travellers will find their experience effortless – a smooth glide down the runway, a quick taxi to the gate, luggage rolling out on time.
But behind this seamless rhythm is an intricate network of people, skill, and coordination – professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that every arrival and departure is safe, efficient and right on schedule.
This foundation of operational excellence is built on teamwork, precision and an unwavering safety-first culture.
From the airside safety specialists and pavement engineers to the airfield lighting technicians, these behind-the-scene heroes form the heartbeat of the airport, ensuring that operations run like clockwork, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – no pause, no rest, no compromise.
Watchful eyes
For the Airside Safety team in KLIA, every day begins and ends with vigilance.
Comprising 92 members working in rotating shifts – with more than 20 on duty at any given time – this team ensures that every corner of the airside, from runways to taxiways and aircraft parking bays, meets the highest safety and operational standards.
Their work is essentially invisible to travellers, yet it’s what keeps the airport running without a hitch.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd Operations and Enforcement senior manager Shaiful Abdul Rahman, emphasises that safety is the top priority in all aspects of airport operations.
“Our teams’ responsibilities go far beyond simple inspections.
Mohd Redzuan explaining the critical function of the Engineering Airport Pavement team, which is to maintain the structural integrity of every runway, taxiway and apron, among other things.
“Everyday, they carry out meticulous checks of runways and taxiways, responding immediately to any reports of foreign object debris or surface irregularities that could compromise aircraft safety.
“They monitor everything from pavement conditions to the placement of ground equipment, working closely with the Air Navigation Services and Aerodrome Division (ANSA) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
“This collaboration is crucial to ensuring that aerodrome operations at KLIA meet international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”
Shaiful adds, “Speed and accuracy defines every action. If a defect is detected, we act immediately.
“Our goal is to respond, assess and resolve the issue while keeping the safety of passengers and aircraft our top priority.”
Guardians of the ground
Beneath every aircraft wheel lies the foundation of airport safety – the pavement. At KLIA and its terminals, three parallel runways span nearly four km each, supported by a vast network of 91 taxiways at Terminal 1, and 51 at Terminal 2, along with more than 180 parking aprons.
The Engineering Airport Pavement (APv) team is the guardian of this critical infrastructure. Their job? To maintain the structural integrity of every runway, taxiway and apron, ensuring that surfaces remain safe, smooth, and durable enough to handle the tremendous forces of modern aircraft.
According to Airport Pavement senior executive engineer Mohd Redzuan Nasarudin, from scheduled inspections to emergency repairs, their work demands both technical expertise and round-the-clock readiness.
“We cover a paved area of approximately four million square meters, roughly the size of 750 football pitches.”
Mohamad Fariz, part of the Engineering Airfield Ground Lighting team, says that faults are identified in real time and rectified so pilots can always have a clear, safe path, day or night.
When a pavement defect such as a pothole or concrete spalling is reported, the team is bound by strict service level agreements – which they need to respond to within 15 minutes.
“It’s really challenging work. Every minute counts when you’re dealing with active runways,” adds Mohd Redzuan.
That’s why the assigned teams need to move fast, to ensure the runway is always in safe operational condition.
Beyond emergency repairs, the APv team also conducts preventive maintenance and participates in safety committee meetings with airlines, ground handlers, and regulators like the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Their goal is simple but vital: to ensure that the airport’s foundation, quite literally, remains strong and dependable.
Lighting the way
When night falls or visibility drops, the safety of aircraft depends on a vast network of lights.
At Malaysia Airports, this responsibility falls to the Engineering Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) team, a group of dedicated specialists who maintain over 20,000 airfield light fittings, from runway edge lights and centreline markers to taxiway guidance signs and approach lighting systems.
Engineering Aerodrome senior manager Mohamad Fariz Masir, says that the “AGL team ensures that every bulb, cable, and control unit performs flawlessly.”
They monitor the Airfield Ground Lighting Control and Monitoring System (AGLCMS) continuously, identifying faults in real time and coordinating immediate rectification when necessary.
“Even a single faulty light on the runway can make a difference to pilots during landing or take-off.
“We treat every malfunction seriously, because in aviation, precision saves lives,” says Mohamad Fariz.
Maintenance is a balance of in-house expertise and outsourced support, allowing the team to perform regular calibration, inspection and bulb replacement.
Whether it’s a routine inspection on a sunny afternoon or an emergency replacement under stormy skies, the AGL team ensures that pilots can always see a clear, safe path, day or night.
Teamwork in action
To understand how seamlessly these teams operate, consider this real-life scenario: a pothole reported on the runway during active flight operations.
> Detection: The Airside Safety team receives an alert from Air Traffic Control (ATC) about a suspected surface irregularity during an aircraft taxi.
> Assessment: The team immediately deploys to the site to evaluate the defect, notifying ATC to hold traffic if necessary.
> Response: The Engineering Pavement team is mobilised - repair crew, materials, and machinery all dispatched at once.
> Support: The AGL team ensures the area is well-lit for visibility and safety, especially if the incident occurs at night.
> Verification: Once the repair is completed, the Airside Safety team conducts a post-repair inspection to confirm the runway’s readiness.
> Resumption: ATC is notified, and operations return to normal.
This swift and synchronised response illustrates Malaysia Airports’ hallmark – efficiency through teamwork.
Every second saved, every clear communication made, reflects a culture built on trust, competence and commitment to excellence.
People power
While technology and systems play their part, it’s the people who make the difference.
The teams at Malaysia Airports embody professionalism, pride, and purpose.
Their collaboration across disciplines, from engineering and safety to air traffic coordination, ensures that passengers and airlines alike enjoy a world-class airport experience.
Operations and Enforcement senior executive Nur Irsyaduddin Abd Rahman explains that meticulous planning lies at the heart of all the work that goes into ensuring the safe and smooth running of KLIA.
“Of course, we have to strictly adhere to the standards set by CAAM and ICAO.
“To do that, behind every aircraft that lands safely and every flight that departs on time, there are hundreds of dedicated individuals whose work often goes unnoticed,” he informs.
Shaiful, Mohamad Fariz, Mohd Redzuan and Nur Irsyaduddin aren’t just employees of Malaysia Airports – they’re the custodians of Malaysia’s aviation standards and reputation, standing shoulder to shoulder with countless others across the organisation.
Through regular drills, coordination meetings and cross-department collaborations, they ensure every team member operates with precision and shared purpose, upholding the world-class standards that keep our skies safe.
“The airport never sleeps,” says Shaiful.
“We operate 24/7. Every shift, every inspection, every repair, it’s all part of the same goal: keeping passengers safe and operations seamless.”
And as Malaysia Airports continues to grow and evolve, these unsung heroes remain the backbone of its success, ensuring that every flight, every day, lands safely and smoothly on home ground.
