PUTRAJAYA: Approximately 100 flights a day will be affected by a five-day air space closure near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and klia2 next week as part of preparations for the 2018 National Day celebration flypast.
The Transport Ministry said the closure will affect 498 flights comprising 98 flights (24 arrivals and 74 departures) on Aug 27; 101 flights (30 arrivals and 71 departures) on Aug 28; 99 flights (26 arrivals and 73 departures) on Aug 29; 99 flights (28 arrivals and 71 departures) on Aug 30; and 101 flights (31 arrivals and 70 departures) on Aug 31.
The ministry said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Aug 6, alerting airlines operating out of KLIA and klia2 of the air closure from 9am to 10.30am on the said dates.
“Although the National Day 2018 flypast will also affect flight operations at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang, the CAAM will ensure that air traffic (at the LTSAAS) remains safe and efficient, without the air space having to be closed.
“Thus, the ministry and CAAM want to remind airline companies to update their flight information… to avoid any problem,” the ministry said in a statement.
It also called on members of the public who plan to travel during said dates to keep in touch with airline companies and airport operators for the latest information on flight schedules.
The ministry said that the air space closure is necessary to ensure the smoothness of the 2018 National day flypast practice sessions, but more importantly, the safety of aircraft flying in and out of KLIA and klia2.
“The CAAM is committed to ensuring the smooth running of the 2018 National Day flypast in Putrajaya, and to preventing any inconvenience to the public,” it added.
The central committee of the 2018 National Day celebration was reported as saying that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will conduct training for the flypast several days before Aug 31.
The National Day flypast, which was previously held in Kuala Lumpur, will take place in Putrajaya this year, close to the two international airports.