ICAO to conduct inspections on KLIA2

No parties should question the safety of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2), which is scheduled to open on May 2.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has also been directed to conduct inspections of all safety aspects on Monday.

"The security forces have also been appointed to guarantee the safety of KLIA2, to prove to the people that in the context of safety, the government will not compromise.

"Their report also showed no safety issues but this (matter) is still being talked about. That is why ICAO had agreed to cooperate for this purpose and will send their representatives,'' he said.

Hishammuddin was speaking after a visit during a trial of the state of operation readiness and transfer (ORAT) at KLIA2.

ORAT involves the simulation of 4,500 passengers and more than 700,000 luggage which reflects KLIA2 operational capability when it opens.

KLIA2 covers an area of 257,000 square meters, and its construction began in 2009.

The main terminal of KLIA2 is being built by UEMC-Bina Puri JV. The portion awarded to the UEMC-Bina Puri joint venture is for the design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of the main terminal building, a satellite building, sky bridge and piers valued at RM997 million.

The completion of the terminal has been postponed several times since 2011 and the construction cost was increased from RM2 billion to RM4 billion.

On October 8 last year, a Malindo Air plane made a trial landing at the third runway of KLIA2.

KLIA2 is also in a strategic position to attract more tourists to use low-cost carrier in the region.

A total of 80 percent of its retail space has already been occupied, showing a positive sign that the retail center can provide job opportunities for 12,000 local residents.