KUALA LUMPUR (June 9): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has assured that its airports are safe and ready for operations under the recovery movement control order (RMCO) which has enabled the reopening of the country’s tourism and domestic flight routes. 

In a statement today, the group said it will ensure all safety measures are carried out vigilantly across its network of airports and ramp up the readiness of all airport staff in operating in the new normal environment.

MAHB group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh said air travel in the country is expected to surge in line with the easing of restrictions under the RMCO as the Covid-19 situation continues to improve in Malaysia.

"We are committed to giving our utmost support to airlines to resume more and more of their local flight offerings. We also want to provide assurance to passengers that they can travel safely and seamlessly as our airports are prepared with safety measures fully rolled out throughout the airport journey. 

"Our main aim is to facilitate a safe and welcoming passenger flow for both departing and arriving guests. From focusing on strict social distancing measures to ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), we serve to complement our airline partners’ new safety protocols as well," he said.

MAHB said it had implemented facial recognition technology, contactless security screening at checkpoints and placed sneeze guard protectors at counters within all its airports for the convenience of passengers.

The airport operator has also assigned on-ground safety compliance officers to patrol the terminals in a bid to ensure social distancing is practised responsibly by all passengers at all times.

Additionally, the group said it is working closely with its retailers not only to ensure a sanitised environment but also to encourage the full adoption of electronic payments via mobile apps such as Boost, Touch 'n Go, GrabPay, MPay and Samsung Pay, to name a few.

"The airport operator is also highly supportive of the government’s efforts in facilitating contact tracing by enforcing the implementation of the contact tracing application "SELangkah" by the Selangor state government by all airport retailers.

"We are supporting our retail partners in reopening their stores in a safe manner. On top of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sanitisation and temperature checking, outlet layouts are also changed for social distancing enforcement. We want to make airport retail experience easier, safer and better for our passengers and the airport community," said Mohd Shukrie.

MAHB has also formed a Covid-19 committee comprising airport management, government agencies and related stakeholders which are constantly kept abreast of the latest facilities and services provided at other airports around the world. 

Currently, the committee is looking at further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of disinfection exercises through automation and UV light technologies to be installed in passenger-heavy areas such as washrooms, and baggage reclaim and immigration clearance counters. 

UV light robots, MAHB said, will be mobilised in public areas to ensure thorough disinfection is carried out at the terminals.

"As passengers adjust to the new normal of travelling, it’s imperative that all parties strictly adhere to all the procedures and work together to curb the spread of the virus by being vigilant and responsible together," said Mohd Shukrie.

The travel procedures put in place by MAHB include compulsory wearing of face masks, a ban on meeters and greeters at the terminals, temperature screening upon entering the terminal building, physical distancing of one metre and arriving at the airport at least three hours early for departing passengers to avoid inconveniences.

"Passengers can be assured that our airports have been disinfected and sanitisation activities have been consistently carried out since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. Our airports across the nation have undergone full disinfection exercises organised by the local Fire and Rescue Department unit," the group said.

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