Airport KLIA Expresses Apologies for Temporary Suspension of Aerotrain Operations
The new Aerotrain services at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) faced a hiccup on July 4, but it was not due to a door malfunction as previously reported. Instead, the disruption was caused by a technical fault in one of the drainage pumps, resulting from heavy rainfall.
According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the incident did not reflect any weakness in the new Aerotrain system or its inability to withstand heavy rain. He asserted that the new Aerotrain assets are built to meet international standards and are operating well.
The accumulated water in the tunnel reached a safety threshold, automatically activating the Aerotrain's safety systems to suspend operations as a precaution. Loke affirmed that the safety systems demonstrated integrity and reliability during the incident.
To maintain connectivity during the service disruption, shuttle buses were deployed, as previously reported. Travel blogger CK Ng documented the situation, stating that the Aerotrain services were not operational, with passengers being transported to the airport's satellite terminal by bus.
Since its relaunch in July 2025, the Aerotrain services have experienced frequent disruptions, primarily due to minor technical glitches, software bugs, and operational issues rather than mechanical failures. Notable causes include door malfunctions and incidents like passengers holding train doors open too long. These issues have led to multiple temporary service suspensions, some lasting around 15 minutes.
To address these problems, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has taken several measures. Disruptions have typically been resolved quickly, with ongoing continuous maintenance to tackle software bugs and operational glitches. There have also been calls for accountability and investigation, with suggestions for a special task force to investigate the root causes behind the disruptions more thoroughly.
Despite these recurring interruptions, the Aerotrain service continues to carry a high volume of passengers—about 1.5 million monthly—with hundreds of trips daily, underscoring its importance as a vital link within KLIA.
Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, expressed his satisfaction with the operational performance of the new Aerotrain system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), despite facing temporary disruptions due to technical issues. He acknowledged that the system, built to meet international standards, has demonstrated resilience, especially during heavy rainfall incidents. The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of the Aerotrain service in the transportation industry, as it transports approximately 1.5 million passengers monthly, contributing to the airport's connectivity and growth in the finance and industry sectors.
