According to Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, the first set of the new KLIA Aerotrain was about 90% complete when he visited the factory in China recently. He shared a short clip of him with the new train on his Instagram account.
Based on the video, the new aerotrain i.e., the train that shuttles passengers between KLIA Terminal 1’s main terminal and the satellite terminal, will have a similar design and look as the outgoing model, but it will have more space for standing passengers, as well as seating options for senior citizens and those in need of seats.
The train will be a three-carriage solution, like the current trains, and is expected to be delivered by early next year.
“I am deeply concerned about the Aerotrain issue at KLIA, as it reflects on our nation’s reputation. During my visit to China, I went to Wuhu, Anhui, to visit the factory where the new Aerotrain is being built. I received a briefing and was informed that the first set of the redesigned Aerotrain is nearly complete and is expected to be delivered to Malaysia next year.”
Anthony Loke via Instagram.
The train assembly is a collaboration between Alstom and the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CCRC). Alstom is a French multinational company that specialises in rail technology who supplied the trains for the Kelana Jaya LRT Line.
Currently, there is a controversy on the aerotrain system as the original contracted supplier, Pestech Technology, had its contract terminated by Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB in August due to “Pestech’s non-performance, compromising significant project milestones and risking delays in delivering the project within the required deadline.”
The company is fighting against contract termination currently but as of the end August, MAHB has started the process to find a new contractor. As of August, the aerotrain project is only at 37%, with an expected completion date of March 2025.
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