At the risk of sounding a little bit like a broken record, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has joined in the chorus of voices from the government and the private sector affirming that yes, KLIA2 will start operating on May 2.
Director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation Datuk Azharuddin Abd Rahman said MAHB had already conducted tests through an independent company to ensure the strength of the new airport’s runway.
“We have verified the report and it meets our requirement. Even on the runway itself, we have checked that there is no crack. We have done our final inspection at the runway and everything is satisfactory,” he said.
He assured that there was no safety issue as the cracks were superficial ones and not a structural defect. It is only depression at the taxiway.
“The department has discussed with MAHB regarding the depression and it has rectified whatever needs to be done before the operation of the airport so that the runway can be used on May 2.
“MAHB has done simulation using grown vehicle (heavy vehicle) to simulate load vehicles such as aircraft going to the apron. And the strength of the apron has met our requirement,” he said.
Azharuddin added that the runway profile is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Despite the runway passing muster, the terminal itself raised some concerns recently, leading acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein to step in and assuage fears of delays. Indah water Konsortium Sdn Bhd, the Sepang Municipal Council and the Fire and Rescue Department inspected the building in the last week of January, and found that 65% of the main terminal complex did not comply with fire and safety standards. They discovered cracks in a sewerage pipe outside the terminal, and sections of the road and drainage are currently still unfit for use.
“I will hold those who had promised the government that they can complete KLIA2 by May 2 to their word, and the quality and safety of this project will also not be compromised,” HIshamuddin said.
Related: KLIA2 flunks fitness tests; Hishamuddin insists it’ll open on schedule anyway
Source: The Star Online
