Tony Fernandes takes Malaysia Airports to task over klia2 'sinking'
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia group chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes today took Malaysia Airports to task over complaints that the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) is "sinking".
Fernandes tweeted "sad that my ceo @aireenomar has to waste her time keep going to malaysia airports to sort something that should never have happened".
He was referring to earlier reports quoting CEO of AirAsia Malaysia Aireen Omar who said the new budget terminal was sinking with cracks allegedly appearing in the taxiway and water-forming pools that planes must go through.
She had said that the defects could cause flight delays, increase wear and tear on planes and even pose potential safety risks.
"The response from MAB that this is to be expected is ridiculous.The board and management need a strong hard look at themselves," said Fernandes.
"Is this to be expected? 8 hour delay due to plane slipping of chocks. The board has to take responsibility," he said on Twitter accompanied by a picture of a plane with its front landing gear twisted.
Last year, the Transport Ministry had called for an independent audit committee to be set up to conduct a thorough investigation on "ponding" or water collecting in the klia2's apron.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai Liow said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), tasked with facilitating the enquiry, would be held accountable.
The apron is an area used to park, unload or load, refuel, maintain or board an aircraft.
MAHB, meanwhile said it had embarked on a special maintenance programme comprising immediate and long-term solutions, including routine patching works, resurfacing works and laying a concrete slab at the affected parking apron and taxiways.
It said the construction of the concrete slab at the affected parking apron and taxiways would continue until 2016 and would not disrupt daily operations.
MAHB Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali had said as the problem was anticipated, MAHB was able to act quickly to rectify the depressions.