MAHB assures klia2 will be opened on 28 June 2013

By Laura Lee

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MABH)’s release on its first quarter performance for 2013, which just came in, addresses a rumour that has been rife in the market regarding the scheduled completion of klia2, the new low-cost carrier terminal.

The airport operator said, “With regards to the construction of klia2, MAHB has noticed that some of the contractors continue to be behind schedule. The contractors, however, have reaffirmed their commitment to work towards the completion date of 28 June 2013.

“MAHB will diligently monitor the progress and will be meeting the contractors, airlines and agencies again soon to determine their readiness towards the date of 28 June 2013.

“MAHB wishes to reiterate that all stakeholders must be ready without compromising safety, quality and operational efficiency in completing klia2.”

At the inaugural flight of Air France to Kuala Lumpur on 23 April, I was alarmed when one of the industry players involved in transportation industry shared with me his concerns that klia2’s opening might be delayed possibly until the end of this year.

I was informed that of recent no photographs were allowed to be taken at the construction site of klia2.

I bumped into Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB) chief executive officer Noormah Mohd Noor at the Air France’s function and asked her for her comments about this matter as ERLSB has been tasked with the construction of the RM100 million ERL’s extension to klia2.

Her immediate response was, “No comments” but on after thoughts she added that on their part, they have delivered their side of the bargain and kept to the schedule.

Since I was back at the KL International Airport yesterday for the inaugural flight of Turkish Airlines, I could not help but check with MAHB communications staff and officials who were present. I was assured that klia2 scheduled opening would remain at 28 June.

From left: Tourism Malaysia director general Datuk Mirza Mohd Taiyab, Turkey ambassador in Malaysia Her excellency Serap Ataay, MAHB Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Turkish Airlines board member Ismal Gercek and Azmi at the cake cutting to commemorate Turkish Airlines' resumption of flights to KL after more than a decade 

One of the assurances came from MABH senior general manager (GM) of operations services Datuk Azmi Murad, who was supposed to have left for the Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition in South Africa as he is one of the speakers.

MAHB GM of corporate planning Randhill Singh was the last minute replacement for him as the speaker for the conference session on The Global Report, which addresses the unique economic, geographical and cultural challenges in airport city and aerotropolis development.

I asked Azizah Aziz, Tourism Malaysia senior deputy director from the director general office for her comments on klia2’s possible delay in its opening. Her reply was she is happy as long as klia2 opens this year.

This new target date for klia2’s opening was mooted by the prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who had wanted it to coincide with KLIA’s launch date in 1998. He made the announcement on 5 January this year.

The earlier date set for klia2’s opening was this month (April).

At MAHB's recent annual general meeting, its chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah had reportedly maintained that klia2, which was 82%, was on track to begin operations on 28 June.

However, research houses like RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd and CIMB Research have raised questions about klia2 being able to meet its targeted date.