[UPDATED] Aerotrain glitch: Malaysia Airports halts all operations until further notice

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has apologised to all passengers who were on board its Aerotrain system from the main terminal building of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the satellite building when it stopped midway at 3pm yesterday. 

In a social media posting, it said that when the train had halted on the tracks, a second train was immediately sent to ferry the passengers for the rest of the journey. 

“Unfortunately, the second train had also experienced technical difficulties, which resulted in the passengers having to walk to the Satellite Building to complete their journey,” it said.

“We are glad to inform that all passengers had safely reached the Satellite Building accompanied by our train safety officers. 

“Paramedics were also on standby for any assistance that may have been needed. 

“Passengers were then ushered to the Sama-Sama Express transit hotel before boarding their flights. 

MAHB added that it was also getting airlines’ help to facilitate passengers who may have missed their flights due to the situation.

“We have halted all Aerotrain operations until further notice in order to rectify the technical issue,” it said.

MAHB added that as announced previously, it had started the Aerotrain replacement programme last year and it will complete in 2025. 

“We are finalising the design phase and will begin the construction phase soon in Q2 this year,” it said. 

Meanwhile, the existing 24-year-old train runs on scheduled operating hours to ensure a robust maintenance regime due to its ageing conditions. 

The current operating schedule is 6am to 10am, 12pm to 3.30pm, 5pm to 11.30pm, and 12.30am to 3.30am.

For further convenience, the shuttle bus service is available 24/7 as an alternative mode of transfer between the main terminal and satellite buildings. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023