KLIA Aerotrain Problems Go Beyond Simple Technical Glitches - Analyst

Transport experts say KLIA’s aerotrain issues run far deeper than simple glitches, a point repeatedly emphasised by transport analyst Wan Agyl Wan Hassan. 

His concerns sit at the centre of Malaysia Airports’ latest move that involves a month-long nightly shutdown of the troubled aerotrain system for a full technical overhaul.

The suspension, starting Nov 15, runs from 9PM to 7AM daily, with passengers using replacement buses while engineers inspect, test, and fix the aerotrain after months of breakdowns since its July relaunch.

Despite a RM456 million upgrade, the system faltered almost immediately, with the first failure happening just a day after reopening. Between July 1 and Sept 30, at least 19 incidents were recorded, ranging from signalling faults to passengers forcing open the doors. 

Malaysia Airports managing director Mohd Izani Ghani said the current plan is meant to address the root causes of the disruptions. 

For the record, the aerotrain has served around seven million passengers and completed more than 53,000 return trips, recording a service availability of 98.41 per cent, since July.

“The reality is more complex. The failures stem from profound systems integration breakdowns, compounded by the termination and later reappointment of key players responsible for power and installation works," Wan Agyl stressed.

He further noted that Malaysia Airports’ move to bring in an independent technical assessor shows that internal checks alone are no longer enough. 

"Ordering contractors to stay on site around the clock and bear rectification costs is a rare and unusually tough enforcement step," he stated, adding that a major challenge is fitting modern trains onto KLIA’s old track structure.

Transport safety expert Dr Law Teik Hua said the overhaul is necessary but warned that relying on buses during closures could test the airport during peak periods.

"The aerotrain heavily influences first impressions and could sway travellers choosing between KLIA and regional competitors," he warned.

Source: The Straits Times.