Aerotrain (KLIA)

{{Short description|Airport people mover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia}} {{other uses|Aerotrain (disambiguation)}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox rail line | name = Aerotrain | color = FF9900 | image = Innovia APM 300 train 2 Aerotrain (KLIA) 2025 (01).jpg | image_width = | caption = Innovia APM 300 train 2 in August 2025; in the background, the system's tracks can be seen passing underneath one of the taxiways | type = [[People mover]] | status = {{Color|Green|In service}} | locale = [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]], [[Malaysia]] | start = | end = | stations = 2 | routes = 1 | daily_ridership = | open = {{Start date and age|1998|df=y}} (original) then, {{Start date and age|1 July 2025|df=y}} (after replacement) | close = 2023 (under replacement) | owner = Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad | operator = Engineering Transportation, Malaysia Airport (Sepang) Sdn. Bhd. | character = Serves sterile parts of the airport | stock = 9 × [[Innovia APM 300|Alstom Innovia APM 300R]] | linelength = | tracklength_km = 1.2 | tracks = | gauge = | electrification = 600 V 50 Hz 3-phase AC [[third rail]] | speed = Maximum speed {{convert|56|km/h|abbr=on}}, Minimum speed {{convert|47|km/h|abbr=on}} | map = {{KLIA Aerotrain|inline=1}} }}

The '''Aerotrain''' is an automated [[people mover]] system located within [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] (KLIA) in [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Appendices |url=https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Item5_Malaysia_2%20appendices_0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611093557/https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Item5_Malaysia_2%20appendices_0.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2020 |access-date=11 June 2020 |website=United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific}}</ref>

The Aerotrain opened in 1998 along with KLIA, the Aerotrain system consists of two stations, one in the [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport#Terminals|Main Terminal Building]] and the other in [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport#Terminals|Satellite Building A]].

Notably, the Aerotrain has been plagued by operational and maintenance issues since the late 2000s,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Shanmugam |first=M |date=28 August 2023 |title=Alternative Views: Failure to fix mere 1.5km-track issue is a national shame |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/680354 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Edge Malaysia}}</ref> with the most notable breakdown occurred in March 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last=Basyir |first=Mohamed |date=2 March 2023 |title=KLIA aerotrain breakdown video goes viral |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/885340/klia-aerotrain-breakdown-video-goes-viral |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=New Straits Times}}</ref><ref name="a255" /> which saw the Aerotrain being suspended for nearly 2 and a half years to make way for replacement works.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hassan |first=Hazlin |date=23 June 2025 |title=Malaysia's KLIA internal train service to resume operations on July 1, hopes to regain lustre |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-klia-internal-train-service-to-resume-operations-on-july-1-hopes-to-regain-lustre |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref>

During the final phase of testing, Transport Minister [[Anthony Loke]] announced that the system would resume operations on 1 July 2025.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Tee |first=Kenneth |date=21 June 2025 |title=KLIA Aerotrain to resume service for travellers on July 1, Transport Ministry announces |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/21/klia-aerotrain-to-resume-service-for-travellers-on-july-1-transport-ministry-announces/181134 |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Malay Mail}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Nizam |first=Fuad |date=21 June 2025 |title=KLIA's aerotrain system operational next month - Loke [WATCH] |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/1233914/klias-aerotrain-system-operational-next-month-loke-watch |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=New Straits Times}}</ref>

The Aerotrain officially resumed operations on 1 July 2025, with the first train entering service at 10 am.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/07/01/anwar-rides-upgraded-klia-aerotrain-says-its-good-faster-than-before/182410 |title=Anwar rides upgraded KLIA Aerotrain, says it's 'good, faster than before'|date=1 July 2025|access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.malaymail.com}}</ref>

== General information == The Aerotrain is fully automated and driverless. Usually, two trains ply between the two stations. In accordance with the [[Spanish solution]], when the train reaches the platform, the exit doors will open first for passengers to disembark, after which the entrance door on the other side will open.

Part of the train track goes underground to cross the [[taxiway]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2010 |title=Fracture Toughness of Railway Track Material Using Finite Element Analysis |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/159178222.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611093536/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/159178222.pdf |archive-date=11 June 2020 |access-date= |website=}}</ref> The ride between the Main Terminal Building and Satellite Terminal A takes about 2.5 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=KLIA layout plan, guide on getting around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport |url=https://www.klia2.info/klia/klia-layout-plan/,%20https://www.klia2.info/klia/klia-layout-plan/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=11 June 2020 |website=KLIA2 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Aerotrain supported various operating modes such as Synchronized Double Shuttle Mode, Offset synchronized Double Shuttle Mode, Unsynchronized Double Shuttle Mode, Single Shuttle Mode, On-Call Mode, Test Train Mode and Out Of Service Mode. The Aerotrain has 4 major sub-systems, namely the Central Control System, Vehicle System, Station Automatic Train Operation (ATO) System and Power Distribution System (PDS).

The maintenance of the Aerotrain is scheduled at 10am-12pm and 12am-5am every day, when only one of the trains will be running for operation and the other one will undergo maintenance works and safety checks. The frequency of the train decreases from every 2<sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> minutes to every 5 minutes during the maintenance periods.

== Rolling stock == [[File:Klia aerotrain dated 060615.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Innovia APM 100|CX-100]] train in June 2015]] The original [[rolling stock]] was manufactured by [[Adtranz]] (merged with [[Bombardier Transportation]] in 2001) and comprises 3 [[Innovia APM 100|CX-100]] trains with 3 cars per train (originally 2 cars), of which each car has a capacity of 249.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/news/84369809-D829-4D18-875A1A8AD986569B.html|title=KLIA Aerotrain Upgrade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927230926/http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/news/84369809-D829-4D18-875A1A8AD986569B.html|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> The trains have an operating speed of {{convert|56|km/h|abbr=on}} with a 600 V 3-phase AC power supply at 50 Hz. A {{convert|75|kW|abbr=on}} DC electric motor (model number: 1460-P4, controlled by a [[thyristor]] [[motor drive|drive]]) constitutes the propulsion system of the trains.

The system originally operated with only two trains, but on 15 March 2011, a new train known as Train 3 was added to the fleet. This was intended to provide coverage when either Train 1 or Train 2 are taken out of service for an overhaul programme. An overhaul programme was deemed necessary at this point as both Train 1 and Train 2 had been in use for 13 years.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

On 28 December 2021, a local engineering firm, Pestech International Bhd, secured a contract of {{MYR|742.95 million}} for the Aerotrain. This contract involved a project to upgrade the {{Convert|1|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} automated people mover system at the airport, together with the Aerotrain's operations and maintenance for a 10-year period from 2025 to 2034. The existing CX-100 rolling stock would be replaced with the [[Innovia APM]] 300 in this upgrade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2021 |title=Pestech to finance, upgrade and operate KLIA Aerotrain project for RM743m |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/pestech-finance-upgrade-and-operate-klia-aerotrain-project-rm743m}}</ref> [[File:Innovia APM 300 train 1 Aerotrain (KLIA) 2025 (02).jpg|thumb|[[Innovia APM|Innovia APM 300]] in August 2025]] However, delays with the project resulted in the contract to be re-awarded to a new consortium of Alstom, IJM Construction Sdn Bhd and Pestech Technology Sdn Bhd in January 2024. The new rolling stock was delivered in September 2024, and the system was originally planned to reopen by the end of January 2025.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=After coaches arrive, Anthony Loke says KLIA Aerotrain set to return by end of Jan 2025 |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/09/02/after-coaches-arrive-anthony-loke-says-klia-aerotrain-set-to-return-by-end-of-jan-2025/148978 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Malay Mail}}</ref> However, the new rolling stock remained in the testing stage as of mid-January 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yusry |first=Muhammad |date=2025-01-15 |title=Now, Loke says no definite date for KLIA's aerotrain to start service |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/15/now-loke-says-no-definite-date-for-klias-aerotrain-to-start-service/163297 |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Malay Mail}}</ref> with a new resumption date forecasted to be in June 2025.<ref name="a255">{{cite web |last=Saieed |first=Zunaira |date=2025-01-24 |title=Malaysia's KLIA aerotrain service to resume by June with new trains costing $140m |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-klia-aerotrain-service-to-resume-by-june-with-new-trains-costing-s140mil |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> On 21 June 2025, Transport Minister [[Anthony Loke]] announced that the Aerotrain would finally resume operations on 1 July 2025.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />

== Incidents == Between 1 November 2010 and 15 March 2011, the Aerotrain service was suspended due to upgrading works. Passengers were transferred between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building by bus shuttles during the upgrading period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AEROTRAIN AT KLIA TO RESUME FULL OPERATION FOR PASSENGERS ON 23 MARCH 2011 |url=http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722231717/http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=6 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |access-date= |website=Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Englandsscout |date=2011 |title=Comprehensive information regarding Aerotrain at KLIA. |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowTopic-g293951-i7006-k4025872-Comprehensive_information_regarding_Aerotrain_at_KLIA-Malaysia.html |access-date=23 June 2025 |website=TripAdvisor}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

On 25 December 2017, one of the trains broke down in between the two terminals and a detrainment was carried out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahar |first=Fairuz Mohd |date=25 December 2017 |title=One KLIA aerotrain resumes service, the other still undergoing maintenance |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/318258/one-klia-aerotrain-resumes-service-other-still-undergoing-maintenance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611093539/https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/12/318258/one-klia-aerotrain-resumes-service-other-still-undergoing-maintenance |archive-date=11 June 2020 |access-date=11 June 2020 |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref> This left the aerotrain running on a single train and free shuttle buses were provided.

On 1 March 2023, the service was suspended until further notice following an incident where the Aerotrain service broke down due to mechanical and electronic failures, resulting in 114 passengers being stranded mid-way on the tracks.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Priyatharisiny |last=Vasu |date=2023-03-02 |title=MAHB suspends KLIA Aerotrain services until further notice |url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/657562 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=The Edge Markets}}</ref> To take advantage of the suspension, the Aerotrain service would be replaced with new ones in 3 years' time,<ref name="g578">{{cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=KLIA Aerotrains To Be Replaced After 23 Years Of Service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) KLIA Terminal |url=https://airports.malaysiaairports.com.my/media-centre/news/klia-aerotrains-be-replaced-after-23-years-service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207123353/https://airports.malaysiaairports.com.my/media-centre/news/klia-aerotrains-be-replaced-after-23-years-service |archive-date=2022-02-07 |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=airports.malaysiaairports.com.my}}</ref> as the contract for the Aerotrain service had been handed down to a new company.

== Gallery == <gallery> Image:KLIA Aerotrain2.jpg|KLIA Aerotrain station at Satellite A Building Image:KLIA Aerotrain3.jpg|The interior of a KLIA Aerotrain. Image:Overhaul_Program_Underframe.jpg|Overhaul program underframe Image:OMSF_Installation_of_Drive_Axle_Assembly.jpg|Installation of New Drive Axle assembly Image:Overhaul_Program_In_Progress.jpg|Overhaul program in progress Image:Wayside_Track_Maintenance.jpg|Wayside track maintenance Image:Lift_Up_Vehicle_Process.jpg|Lift-up vehicle process at KLIA MAHB Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF) </gallery>

== See also == * [[List of airport people mover systems]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} *[http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?WebsiteId=13&ch=22&pg=72&ac=53 KLIA Aerotrain]

[[Category:1998 establishments in Malaysia]] [[Category:Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] [[Category:Rail transport in Selangor]] [[Category:Airport people mover systems]] [[Category:Innovia people movers]] [[Category:People mover systems in Malaysia]] [[Category:Free public transport]]