Najib: KLATCC another milestone in country's civil aviation industry (Updated)

SEPANG: The new Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KL ATCC) is set to be another all-important milestone in the country's civil aviation industry, said Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Noting the ever-expanding industry in the country, the Prime Minister acknowledged the need to upgrade and improve its infrastructure including the management of the air traffic system and facilities.
He said as such, the RM650 million KL ATCC project, upon its completion in 2019, would be the starting point for the restructuring of the KL airspace, better known as the KL Flight Information Region (KL FIR), and enhance the country's push to be a global aviation hub.
"The restructuring of the KL FIR will allow the KL International Airport (KLIA) to operate at its maximum capacity through three runways simultaneously.
"This will be able to increase the airport's runway overall capacity to accommodate from 78 aircraft movements per hour to 108, among the highest in the world.
"And this will provide lucrative returns to the country through the expansion of our aviation industry," he said during the ground-breaking ceremony of the KL ATCC, here, today.
Najib added that the project was also significant, noting that demands have led to an increase in air traffic that is felt not only by the airports nationwide, but also the air traffic control centre.
He said, for instance, KLIA alone records some 1,200 aircraft movements per day presently as opposed to 600 per day prior to the opening of the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in March 2006.
"Besides, the older KL ATCC in Subang have reached its maximum aircraft management capacity, where on average, over 900,000 aircraft movements were handled each year over the past few years," he said.
Najib urged all quarters involved in the project to ensure smooth implementation, while emphasising the importance of passengers' safety, saying there should not be compromise to it.
The implementation of the KL ATCC project includes the construction of a three-storey KL ATCC complex, as well as the installation of new communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the KL ATCC will also act as a coordination centre for the country's Search and Rescue system, with priority to be given to the upgrading of the system nationwide.
He added that the project would also see improvements made to the KL FIR airspace surveillance system, with replacements for existing radars as well as installation of new ones.