Still time to ensure klia2 opening on May 2 a reality: Hishammuddin

SEPANG: There is time to ensure that the date set for the opening of klia2 on May 2 becomes a reality, said Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said klia2 is safe for use, which was reflected by the smoothness of the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) exercise.
Hishammuddin made an official visit to the klia2 site today and witnessed the full-fledged ORAT exercise as well as checking the safety of the new terminal.
Some 3,000 trainees from the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) and 1,500 from the general public, with 700,000 luggages, are involved in preparing the terminal for its opening set on May 2.
"With the PLKN students and few airline passengers involved today, as the Minister of Defence, I would not allow my national service trainees to be here today if the airport is really unsafe," he told a press conference, which was also opened to the public, here today.
ORAT is a comprehensive methodology and holistic approach employed to ensure the operational readiness of a new airport or airport infrastructure project.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has run the ORAT since early February.
On April 2, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi announced that the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in Sepang would be closed on May 9.
Abdul Aziz, who was also present to witness the ORAT exercise, said the exercise would end on April 30 and that the programme has been running successfully.
He cited the passenger service charge would remain the same at RM32, similar to the amount being charged at the LCCT.
"The charge is for the first year only, as a promotion, After one year, we will hand over to the government to make a revision," he added.
Meanwhile, speaking to Bernama, an aviation student from UniKL Malaysia Institute of Aviation Technology, Muhammad Fawwaz Amiruddin, 23, said he was enthralled by the new airport, saying the design looked better than the KLIA.
"I believe more people would be attracted to this airport as I am, and we can't wait for its officially opening," he said.
Nurul Ain Aliasan, 27, said the environment at klia2 was very comfortable and not congested, as the new terminal was built with bigger space and adopted user-friendly equipment.
"This airport utilises the latest technology, better than the LCCT, which is crowded and no longer up-to-date.
"The check-in system is more convenient and saves time, which will really help passengers who travel with infants and small children," she said.
Plus Bhd Technical Assistant Awangku Hisyam Awangku Hidup, 32, who was here for the third day to witness the ORAT, said the operation has improved compared to the first visit to klia2 on March 27.
"The facilities and the operations are considered smooth, but they (MAHB) need to improve the signage, which is very confusing.
"Besides that, the journey from the check-in counter to boarding gate for international flights is about 1.5 kilometres, so for it's not a problem for us who are young, but a problem for the elderly," he said. – Bernama