SEPANG: One of Gulf Air's Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft is set to perform a low flypast during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The flypast is expected to take place at the Sepang International Circuit this Sunday (Oct 4) between 2.45pm to 3pm, before the race flags off.
A rehearsal for the flypast is also expected on Wednesday (Sept 30).
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) deputy chief executive officer (operations) Zainul Abidin Maslan said there would be minimal air traffic disruption.
"The low flypast by Gulf Air will take place close to flag-off. That has been coordinated internally and will cause very minimum disruption to air traffic.
"We are ready to accommodate these operations on race day," he said during a media engagement hosted by CAAM and the Malaysia Press Institute here on Tuesday (Sept 29).
CAAM also said several aircraft are expected to perform low flypasts in conjunction with the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The operations are scheduled to take place between 2pm to 3pm from Wednesday (Sept 30) to Sunday (Oct 4).
"The public may observe aircraft flying at lower altitudes than usual and are advised not to be alarmed. The operations have been coordinated with the relevant authorities and will be conducted in accordance with applicable safety requirements," said CAAM in a statement on Tuesday.
CAAM also reminded the public that unauthorised drone operations in the affected airspace is prohibited during the event.
"Drone operators must obtain the necessary authorisation before conducting any flights," it said.
It added that those operating drones without authorisation may be subject to investigation under the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016 and other applicable laws.
"Keeping the affected airspace clear is essential to the safe conduct of aircraft operations and the safety of everyone at the event and in surrounding areas," it said.
Meanwhile, AirAsia advised all its guests travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 to plan their journey as higher passenger volume and heavier traffic are expected in conjunction with the Formula 1 race weekend.
The airline said guests are advised to arrive at the airport at least three hours before the scheduled departure time for international flights and two hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights.
Malaysia is set to host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the SIC between Oct 2 to Oct 4.
SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017 before it was removed from the calendar due to rising hosting costs and licensing fees.
In mid-March, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races scheduled for April were postponed following the Middle East war, reducing this season's calendar from 24 to 22 races.
