KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): The third runway at the KL International Airport (KLIA) is now fully rehabilitated after undergoing comprehensive maintenance works, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

In a statement today, MAHB said the exercise mainly involved overlaying works as well as improving the runway pavement drainage.  

Group CEO Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said despite aggressive cost containment measures undertaken in light of the Covid-19 impact to the aviation industry, the airport operator had proceeded with mission critical investments such as the replacement of ageing assets and runway rehabilitation works.

“We will never compromise on the safety aspects of airport operations. Now more than ever, we have to be able to reassure the travelling public that air travel is safe. 

“On top of ensuring safety of flight operations, we have also invested in technology that can provide a contactless and sanitised airport environment so that our guests can have peace of mind when they need to travel,” he said. 

MAHB said the completion of rehabilitation works on the third runway was especially timely, as the company is starting to see a gradual increase in confidence on the safety of air travel. 

“We are already seeing triple of the traffic numbers we saw in the preceding month,” the airport operator said. 

MAHB said the maintenance works were carried out under a master plan, which it described as a vital framework in ensuring the continuous safety of flight operations at the airport. 

“We will also be starting the second phase of the Runway Sustainability Master Plan where works on Runway 1 will begin from November 2020 onwards,” it added. 

In order to ensure smooth flight operations during the third runway’s rehabilitation period, MAHB said it conducted regular engagement sessions with stakeholders such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), airline partners and ground handlers operating at KLIA.  

“Immediately upon the completion of maintenance works, the CAAM had conducted calibration and inspection works to assess infrastructure readiness and ensure that the runway meets all international safety and regulatory guidelines for flight operations,” MAHB said.