28 July 2015
Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) says that the klia2 terminal, apron and taxiways are safe for operations and ruled out any suggestions that airlines can return to the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT).
In its statement issued on Tuesday, it said the klia2 apron and taxiway were undergoing differential settlement.
“Of the total 1.48 million sq metre total klia2 airport area, only 2.3% is affected by this differential settlement that causes the ponding and depression issues,” it said.
MAHB said the work plan was staggered in order to minimise the disruption to operations and it was progressing according to schedule.
“The maintenance works is expected to taper off to a minimum level in the next five years,” it said.
MAHB added passenger traffic at klia2 in the last 12 months had grown by 6.8% over the same period in 2014 at the old LCCT. In addition the transfer or fly-through passengers have also doubled at klia2 due to its much better facilities.
“Given the above, moving back to LCCT is not a feasible option as it will not be able to cater to the current passenger traffic.
“The maximum capacity for LCCT was 15 million passengers per annum (mppa) whilst the current passenger traffic at klia2 is about 24 mppa,” it said.
Below is the statement issued by MAHB:
NO COMPROMISE ON SAFETY AT klia2
Malaysia Airports assures that klia2 Terminal, Apron and Taxiways are safe for operations. Safety is of utmost priority to us in Malaysia Airports and we adhere to a very stringent regulatory regime by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), in accordance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.
Prior to the commercial opening of klia2, the terminal had received all required safety certifications as below:
1) Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) on 17 April 2014 by the relevant regulatory bodies which certifies that the terminal building is safe for operations.
2) Aerodrome Certificate by the Department of Civil Aviation on 23 April 2014 which certifies that the terminal complies to ICAO Annex 14 and Airport Standards Directive with regards to its runway, parking apron, taxiways, terminal building structures and surrounding areas.
klia2 had also undergone independent safety evaluation to confirm that the terminal and the related infrastructure is safe for operations. They were:
1) Evaluation on Safety Issue of klia2 by IKRAM Premier Consulting that covers Airport Runway, Taxiway and Parking Apron, Terminal Building Structures and Surrounding Areas.
2) ICAO Project Report on Compliance of the Apron, Runway and Taxiway; and Associated Movement Area at klia2.
The klia2 apron and taxiway is undergoing differential settlement. Of the total 1,480,000 sqm total klia2 airport area, only 2.3% is affected by this differential settlement that causes the ponding and depression issues.
Since the opening of klia2 in May 2014, Malaysia Airports has been very diligent in monitoring the safety aspects of the overall airport operations together with all the stakeholders.
A Joint Inspection Committee is the proper platform for the airport stakeholders to raise and resolve any operational issues including the update on the rectification works.
The Committee is chaired by the Malaysia Airports' klia2 Head of Engineering, and the members include the Principal Assistant Director (JA)1 of Airport Standards Division from Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), as well as Ground Safety Managers and Safety Officers of AirAsia, AirAsia X and Malindo airlines.
The committee has had 27 meetings to date. Onsite inspection and verification on the rectification works is conducted by all members of the Joint Inspection Committee.
In constructing klia2, an accelerated development approach was adopted due to the increasing congestion faced at the old LCCT as well as the urgency to cater to AirAsia's growth needs.
This method had enabled us to complete the klia2 project under 4 years. This involved a ground treatment method that requires maintenance to be performed to manage the differential settlement such as routine patching works, resurfacing or overlay works; as well as long-term solution such as the construction of concrete slabs and injection of polyurethane (PU) material underground at affected parking aprons and taxiways.
All works are done in accordance to ICAO guidelines, and on a continual basis.
The work plan which is staggered in order to minimise the disruption to operations, is progressing according to schedule. The maintenance works is expected to taper off to a minimum level in the next 5 years.
We are happy to note that the passenger traffic at klia2 in the last 12 months has grown by 6.8% over the same period in 2014 at the old LCCT. In addition the transfer or fly-through passengers have also doubled at klia2 due to its much better facilities.
Given the above, moving back to LCCT is not a feasible option as it will not be able to cater to the current passenger traffic. The maximum capacity for LCCT was 15 million passengers per annum (mppa) whilst the current passenger traffic at klia2 is about 24 mppa.
We remain committed to ensure airport operations safety at all our airports.
Original Source: thestar.com.my
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