logo
Selangor Aero Park unmatched in Asean region for space, says Loke

Selangor Aero Park unmatched in Asean region for space, says Loke

The Star05-06-2025

SEPANG: The Selangor Aero Park (SAP) will complement Malaysia's aspirations to become a leading air cargo hub in the Asean region, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
"We have the recipe and preconditions said to be unmatched by any other country in the Asean region because KLIA spans 100 sq km. With this space, various plans can be implemented," he said.
Loke said there are three parallel runways in KLIA at present, with the potential to construct up to five runways.
"There are no other airports in Asean with this space and we also have very good connectivity.
"We want to turn KLIA into the main air cargo hub in Asean." said Loke.
Loke also said SAP, an effort between MAHB and Mentri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), will become a specific industry zone that targets companies in the aerospace manufacturing and supply chain sector.
"This includes the manufacturing of aircraft components and related technology, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services," he said.
Also present during the press conference was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who said that GE Aerospace would be the launch tenant at SAP after it secured 100 acres of land in its first phase.
"The first day, we are booked by 50%. This is a very good sign for the future," added Amirudin.
He also said several MRO companies are in talks to operate with SAP.
The SAP is a key component of the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030 to generate RM55.2bil in annual aerospace revenue and create over 32,000 high-income jobs by 2030.
Spanning about 600 acres within the KLIA aeropolis, the park has a potential gross development value (GDV) of RM2.3bil.
The first phase of the SAP spans 200 acres and approximately 400 acres will be progressively released beyond 2028 in accordance with infrastructure readiness and investor demand.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MAHB must deliver seamless experience to regain public trust, says Wan Agyl
MAHB must deliver seamless experience to regain public trust, says Wan Agyl

New Straits Times

time10 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

MAHB must deliver seamless experience to regain public trust, says Wan Agyl

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) must go beyond technical performance in operating the upgraded aerotrain to rebuild public trust, said a transport consultant. Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the service, scheduled to resume on July 1, must also deliver flawless execution in terms of passenger experience. "After over two years of delays and daily frustrations, the public isn't just expecting a working train. "They're expecting a seamless, modern and reliable experience that functions every single day, without fuss or excuse. "The only way MAHB can address this trust deficit is through consistent performance — clear signage, fast transfers, accessibility and integration with the broader Airports 4.0 ambitions. "Reliability is no longer a nice to have. It's the bare minimum," he told the New Straits Times. Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the long-awaited service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would resume next month after several delays. Commenting on the delays, Wan Agyl said the technical reasons were valid but the root cause was poor planning and late decision-making. "This wasn't just a hardware upgrade. It involved replacing a 25-year-old system with brand new trains, control systems, substations and signalling. "But MAHB had known since 2016, at least, that the system was ageing. The decision to replace it only came in late 2021, after years of breakdowns and complaints. "By the time work began, the damage to both operations and public trust was already done. "Had a replacement plan been communicated and executed proactively, we might not be having this conversation today." He acknowledged MAHB's adoption of global best practices, including more than 80 critical tests and a 2,000km "fault-free run" required by the Land Public Transport Agency, but said more could have been done sooner. The KLIA aerotrain issue, Wan Agyl said, offered key lessons for public agencies and infrastructure planners. "First, critical systems must not be managed reactively. The aerotrain showed signs of failure for years. It took a breakdown where passengers had to walk the track in the rain before the replacement moved forward. "Second, large-scale projects need tighter governance. Multiple missed deadlines eroded public confidence, even if real progress was being made behind the scenes. "A public facing delivery scorecard, clearer milestones and transparency could have helped." He also highlighted KLIA's dependence on a single mode of inter-terminal transport as a major vulnerability. "Resilient airports build in redundancy. Changi and Incheon do it, and so must we. Contingency planning should be a core design principle, not an afterthought." However, he praised MAHB's recent efforts to improve transparency, including media site visits and regulatory oversight.

KLIA aerotrain to resume service
KLIA aerotrain to resume service

The Star

time12 hours ago

  • The Star

KLIA aerotrain to resume service

Loke: It will undergo several more tests before operations start on July 1 SEPANG: After a hiatus of more than two years, passengers travelling through Terminal 1 of the KL International Airport (KLIA) will only have to wait nine more days before they can use its signature aerotrain to get from the main terminal building to the satellite terminal building, and vice versa. The aerotrain replacement project, which is currently in its final testing phase, is set to begin operations on July 1. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it will undergo several more tests over the coming days, including an emergency response plan test together with the relevant authorities. 'If everything goes well, it will begin operations at 10am on July 1,' said Loke when giving the media a preview of the aerotrain service here yesterday. He said there will be three train sets on deck, with two operating concurrently during peak hours. During off-peak hours, or between 12am and 5am, only one train will operate to allow maintenance works to be carried out. Each train has three carriages and can ferry 270 passengers at one time. Testing it out: Loke and Izani (second from left) using the aerotrain at KLIA. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star 'With the return of the aerotrain, we hope passengers will feel more comfortable in their transit between the main terminal and satellite buildings,' Loke said, adding that the shuttle bus services that were deployed as a stop-gap measure will continue for a while even after the aerotrain resumes service. Loke also expressed hope that the aerotrain's return will improve KLIA's service and image. 'There will be more Asean meetings coming up in the next few months, with another summit to be held at the end of the year. '2026 is also a major year as we are organising Visit Malaysia 2026 and the aerotrain is a vital part of preparations here,' he said. On the series of delays in the resumption of aerotrain services, Loke said it was to ensure safety is made priority. According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the aerotrain has now entered its final stage of testing. This comes following the successful completion of the critical fault-free run (FFR) and final detailed inspection by the Land Public Transport Agency. Under the FFR testing, the first train was required to complete 2,000km of continuous fault-free operations, while the remaining two trains logged 1,000km each. 'This ensures all three trains are fully commissioned and that the system's built-in redundancy is in place for live operations,' it said. MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, who was also present, said the airport is now in the final stretch of preparations. 'Our volunteers are also participating in trial runs to simulate passenger movements,' he said. The aerotrain, which came under public scrutiny for frequent breakdowns, had its services suspended in March 2023. There was an episode where the train stopped midway from the main terminal building and the satellite building. A second train was deployed to retrieve the stranded passengers, but the rescue train also experienced technical difficulties, resulting in passengers having to complete the journey on foot.

KLIA aerotrain set to resume service on July 1
KLIA aerotrain set to resume service on July 1

The Sun

time12 hours ago

  • The Sun

KLIA aerotrain set to resume service on July 1

SEPANG: The long-awaited aerotrain service at KL International Airport (KLIA) will resume on July 1 at 10am, more than a year after it was suspended due to aging infrastructure and safety concerns. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced its reopening yesterday following a successful trial run and inspection at KLIA Terminal 1. 'We are now in the final phase of testing. Several more tests will be conducted in the coming days, including a major emergency response plan drill involving Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) staff and emergency services. 'If all goes smoothly, the aerotrain service will resume as scheduled.' Loke acknowledged the frustrations faced by travellers but stressed that safety must take precedence. 'As much as I wanted the service to restart earlier, all necessary tests had to be completed and approved by the Land Public Transport Agency.' Originally targeted for a Q1 2025 relaunch, the project was delayed to May, and eventually to July. Loke said the delay was due to extended safety testing and system fine-tuning, not any critical faults. The upgraded aerotrain, consisting of three connected compartments with a capacity of 90 passengers each, can carry 270 passengers per trip. 'Two train sets will operate simultaneously during peak hours, with a third train set on standby as backup. During non-peak or engineering hours, between midnight and 5am, only one train will operate to allow for maintenance.' He said the aerotrain is designed to offer a more seamless, comfortable and efficient transit experience as part of ongoing efforts to elevate KLIA's service standards. He added that although the aerotrain is returning, the shuttle bus service introduced during its suspension would remain in operation for now. 'Until the aerotrain service fully stabilises, we will continue running the buses to ensure uninterrupted service.' The resumption of service comes at a pivotal time as Malaysia prepares to host a series of Asean meetings and summits. 'It also aligns with preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which is expected to see a surge in international arrivals. 'This upgrade is part of our broader plan to ensure KLIA remains a world-class gateway to Malaysia. We want to provide a positive first impression for international visitors.' The project is being implemented under strict oversight from the Land Public Transport Agency, which required the system to undergo a rigorous validation process. The first train was required to complete 2,000km of continuous fault-free operations while the other two trains logged 1,000km each. This testing ensured that all three trains are fully commissioned and the system's built-in redundancy is ready for live operations. MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the airport is now in the final stretch of preparations. 'This includes testing our emergency response plan to ensure that we are ready for any eventuality. 'Our volunteer employees are also participating in live trial runs to simulate passenger movement and help us fine-tune operations. 'It's a system that requires seamless integration across multiple components, all of which must meet stringent safety and performance standards set by the regulator.' He expressed gratitude to the Land Public Transport Agency and the Transport Ministry for their close oversight and support, and to contractor Alstom and its consortium partners for delivering the project within budget. The aerotrain replacement project began in 2022 as part of a three-year infrastructure upgrade at KLIA. The overhaul was deemed necessary after the original trains, in service since the airport's opening in 1998, suffered frequent breakdowns.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store