'Find permanent solution to sinking tarmac' - AirAsia tells operators of its KLIA2 terminal

AirAsia has called for urgent repairs at Malaysia’s new budget airline terminal, claiming the tarmac is “sinking”.

Following an incident attributed to the sinking tarmac, where a plane came off its chocks at the KLIA2 terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which caused an 8-hour delay, AirAsia chief, Tony Fernandes  criticised Malaysian aviation officials over their seeming neglect.

According to Fernandes, "since opening last year, KLIA2 has been riddled with controversy, with cracks reportedly forming on the taxiway and faulty design leading to water pools on its grounds."

“The airport needs to be fixed. Fix it and let’s move on" he added.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which oversees KLIA2, had previously acknowledged the airport was located on unstable ground, which could require years of considerable maintenance to address.

According to the company, the settling “has been anticipated from the start of construction”, adding that the airport was addressing the issue by patching and resurfacing problem areas and injecting polyurethane under the ground.

AirAsia however insists on a more permanent solution as the airline said it can’t afford to have an airport continuously under construction as it obstructs operations.