KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is conducting a joint review with the Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) following a series of service disruptions involving the new Aerotrain system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
In a statement today, MAHB said it has provided APAD with full technical documentation and operational data, including records of service incidents since the Aerotrain’s commissioning on July 1.
The review follows three temporary service halts — on July 12, September 3, and October 15 — which prompted safety-led passenger escorts to the terminal. The airport operator said shuttle buses ensured uninterrupted passenger movement between the main terminal and satellite building during the disruptions.
“While all incidents, including minor issues, are logged and reported to regulators as required, only these three events necessitated a temporary pause in service,” MAHB said.
The July and September incidents were caused by power loss linked to a dislodged current collector device (CCD), a component managed by the Aerotrain’s main contractor, Alstom. The company has since completed investigations into the root causes.
Preliminary findings from the most recent disruption on October 15 suggest a power trip affecting both guideways, falling under the scope of the IJM-Pestech Joint Venture (IPJV), which is responsible for the system’s power distribution and installation works.
MAHB said all three incidents occurred within the defect liability period, meaning the contractors are fully responsible for rectification and performance. Joint technical meetings have been held with senior representatives from Alstom and IPJV to accelerate corrective measures.
To bolster transparency, MAHB will appoint an independent assessor to examine the Aerotrain’s power supply design, installation integrity, and overall system reliability.
“The Aerotrain underwent stringent testing, commissioning, and regulatory review prior to its launch,” MAHB said.
“Nonetheless, this additional assessment will provide further assurance and demonstrate our commitment to go beyond regulatory requirements.”
Since entering service, the three Aerotrain units have carried over 5.75 million passengers across 42,000 trips, achieving an operational service availability rate of 99.23%.
MAHB reiterated that no major disruptions have caused passengers to miss flights and that safety remains its highest priority.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with APAD and the Transport Ministry to strengthen system performance and maintain public confidence,” the statement added. — October 22, 2025