The Automated People Mover System (Aerotrain) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport has again been delayed. However, this time, a definite completion date was not provided, despite the project being due at the end of this month.
According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the project still requires various testing stages before it can be operational.
“At present, dynamic testing is underway. After that, there will be full system testing and system integration before it can be handed over to the authorities for final testing.”
“Right now, it is still at the contractor’s stage of testing, so they have yet to provide a firm date, even though they previously indicated it could be completed by January 31. However, as of now, they have not returned with a confirmed date,” he said during a press conference
Loke expressed his disappointment and dissatisfaction with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), noting that the aerotrain systems have been suspended since March 2023, and he has received numerous complaints about them.
“I have to put on record that I am not happy with many things at MAHB. A lot of issues remain unanswered and have been delayed. The aerotrain is an example,” Loke added.
In June 2024, MAHB announced that the aerotrain replacement project at KLIA would be completed by January 31, 2025, ahead of schedule.
However, Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA), which proposed privatising MAHB, criticised its operational and financial underperformance last month.
GDA highlighted MAHB’s delayed project execution, citing the aerotrain replacement project—which began in 2017 but was only awarded in 2021—as an example. GDA also noted that MAHB’s underinvestment has negatively affected airport maintenance and capacity expansion.
During the press conference, Loke supported the idea of privatisation to expedite decision-making and increase capital expenditure for improvements.
“We see the potential to do better. That’s why Khazanah decided to privatise MAHB – so decisions can be made faster and more capex can be spent,” Loke added.
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