NGOs laud inclusion of aerobridges at KLIA2

Teoh El Sen

 | December 10, 2011

Disabled groups happy with Malaysia Airports but gives their thumbs
down on AirAsia's decision not to use them when the airport is completed

PETALING JAYA: Imagine yourself wheelchair-bound, staring down from an airplane doorway to the ground almost five metres below. You have to negotiate a dangerous gap if you want to get onto an ambulift which will lower you down.

This is what Danny Tan, who has muscular dystrophy and wheelchair-bound, has had to endure whenever he wanted to fly. But sometimes it was even worse for Tan, whose limbs are stick-thin and his bones fragile due to his condition.

“Earlier this year I returned from China, it rained heavily when I touched down at the LCCT Terminal and they told me the ambulift was not available and asked if they could carry me,” said Tan, who take flights 4-5 times a year.

However, Tan told the crew only his wife knew how to lift his body correctly without injuring his brittle bones.

“I believe they just wanted to save time by not providing the ambulift. My wife had to walk down the staircase while the air hostess held an umbrella over me,” said Tan, who is chief coordinator for the Shuang Fu Disabled Independent Living Association.

Such inconvenient and stressful situations are commonplace for disabled and that is why they have been especially vocal about having aerobridges for the impending KLIA2.

Today, a group of 10 NGOs fighting for the disabled held a press conference to welcome the decision made by Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) to install aerobridges at KLIA.

“We thank MAHB for taking into consideration the voices of the people including us, persons with disabilities,” said Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT) pro-tem president Christine Lee.

The disabled community, including BEAT, has been lobbying for the inclusion of the aerobridge, and has held two protests – once in August and another in October, asking MAHB and the government for it.

Lee had also personally met with Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha over the matter in September. He thanked Kong, the cabinet, as well as politicians from both divides.

On Nov 29, MAHB confirmed that the new LCCT in Sepang (KLIA2) will include 80 aerobridges, when it is due to be completed in April 2013.

MAHB managing director Bashir Ahmad had said aerobridges would help those with restricted movement, expectant mothers, young children and the elderly.

‘We deserve to be accorded equal rights’

However, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, who has been a vocal opponent of the use of aerobridges, said his planes will not be using the aerobridges even if they were built at KLIA2. He claimed it was a waste of money as customers did not want them.

“We are disappointed that AirAsia is not going to use aerobridges when KLIA2 is completed. We urge AirAsia not to disregard the needs of its passengers especially persons with disabilities, people with reduced mobility, elderly, pregnant women and children,” said Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territories Malaysia, V Murugeswaran.

Murugeswaran said Aerobridges were not only necessary but crucial to ease mobility, enhance the safety and security and comfort of all passengers in all weather conditions.

“As full paying consumers, we deserve to be accorded equal rights to enjoy basic public facilities and services that are convenient and safe for us to use.  An aerobridge could determine whether we can fly or not.

“We call on the government to ensure that all newly built airports be equipped with aerobridges. We also urge the authority to come up with regulations to make it mandatory for all airlines, including budget air carriers, to use aerobridges at airports where provided,” said Murugeswaran.

Asked about the view that aerobridges were too costly and ambulifts were sufficient for the disabled community, Murugeswaran said that the extra cost incurred by MAHB were not from the aerobridges.

“When they announced that KLIA costed about RM2billion, the plan already included aerobridges, and they initially scrapped it just because one airline was against it,” said Murugeswaran.

Lee said that ambulifts were not the solution for disabled people.

“Ambulifts are problematic and dangerous and furthermore, with the increasing volume of flying customers, it would not be enough.

LCCT currently only has two. Aerobridges would be much safer and more convenient, for all, not only for us,” said Lee.

Aerobridge tetap dibina di KLIA2

SEKALI LAGI KAMI INGIN MENGUCAPKAN TAHNIAH KEPADA MAHB YANG FAHAM PERASAAN OKU DAN BERANI DALAM MEMPERBETULKAN KEADAAN. TETAPI PERANGAI DEGIL AIR ASIA SUNGGUH MEMALUKAN YANG LANSUNG TIDAK BUAT APA YANG MEREKA CAKAP " NOW EVERYONE CAN FLY"  YANG HANYA MEMENTINGKAN KEUNTUNGAN

Oleh IKHWAN IDERIS
ikhwan.ideris@kosmo.com.my

PROJEK pembangunan KLIA2 yang kini dalam pembinaan dan ia dijangka siap pada April 2013.

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SEPANG - Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd. (MAHB) akan tetap menyediakan kemudahan jambatan aero (aerobridge) di KLIA2 yang bakal menggantikan Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah (LCCT).

Meskipun menerima bantahan daripada sebuah syarikat penerbangan yang dikatakan enggan menggunakan kemudahan tersebut kerana dilihat bertentangan dengan model perniagaannya, Pengarah Urusan MAHB, Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad berkata, kemudahan tersebut merupakan satu keperluan.

"Saya bercakap bagi pihak golongan kelainan upaya (OKU), kanak-kanak, ibu mengandung dan warga emas bahawa aerobridge akan dipasang di KLIA2.

"Saya berharap syarikat penerbangan yang bakal menggunakan KLIA2 akan menyokong langkah ini demi kemudahan orang ramai," katanya pada sidang media sempena lawatan media di KLIA2 di sini semalam.

New, better KLIA2 takes wings

Brave decision by MAHB…..Air Asia your cooperation is compulsory as we wish not to protest against you ONE MORE TIME !!!!!  Please honor you words as MONEY is not everything

 Work in progress: Construction works are ongoing at KLIA2 in Sepang. The new low cost terminal will be equipped with facilities to cater to passenger comfort, including a public shopping mall, once it is completed.

SEPANG: Improvements have been made to KLIA2’s design because “it does not mean that a person who travels on a low-cost carrier need not arrive or depart from a very nice terminal”, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) chief.

Its managing director and CEO Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad added that in view of public appeals – especially by people with restricted movements, the elderly, expectant mothers and children – aerobridges would be installed at KLIA2.

“We hope the airlines operating at KLIA2 will support our decision by using the aerobridges to meet the needs of the travelling public,” said Bashir at a press conference yesterday.

He added that the airport operator would go ahead with the building of aerobridges (to connect airplanes to the terminal gate) despite the refusal of a low-cost airline to use them.

When the new low-cost terminal is completed, it will be equipped with facilities to cater to passenger comfort, including a public shopping mall and a fully automated baggage handling system.

Other facilities are an airside transit hotel, premium lounges, as well as a seven-storey parking lot which will be able to accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles.

Bashir said KLIA2 had been significantly upgraded in terms of floor space, the length of its runways and the number of aircraft stands.

All these improvements resulted in an increase of the terminal’s building cost from a provisional budget of RM2bil to between RM3.6bil and RM3.9bil.

The upgrade of the baggage system to a fully automated one had also resulted in the delay of the terminal’s estimated date of completion from October next year to April 2013.

However, Bashir insisted that the cost of the terminal, estimated at RM5,000 per sq m, would be among the lowest compared to other similar airport terminal projects.

“The industry standard is within the range of RM5,000 to RM10,000 per sq m,” he said.

Bashir also said the passenger service charge for KLIA2 would remain the same as the current tax imposed at the low-cost-carrier terminal (LCCT).

When the terminal is completed, it will be made accessible via the Express Rail Link (ERL), taxis, buses and in the future, even via the KTM.

The terminal will have the capacity to serve up to 45 million passengers annually. This is three times the capacity of the main KLIA terminal.

KLIA2 to cost RM3.9 bln, ready by April 2013

VICTORY AT LAST 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 29): The upgrading of facilities at KLIA2 are expected to increase the total cost to build the airport to RM3.9 billion and it would be operational by April 2013.

Its managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said the KLIA2 would enable MAHB to handle about 45 million passengers yearly compared with the earlier estimate of 30 million.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the KLIA2 would have a “larger terminal footprint now standing at 257,000 sq metres, 68 contact stands and enhanced systems in place”.

The airports operator said KLIA2 is one of the largest privately funded projects and will spur the local economic growth and employment opportunities.

MAHB said KLIA2 is built as a national infrastructure asset to cater to the needs of the airlines, government, public and the airport.

It also said due to the appeals by the public especially people with restricted movements, elderly people, expectant mothers, and children, MAHB said aerobridges would be installed at KLIA2.

“As the cost works out to be only 25 sen per passenger, the public has indicated that they are willing to pay for the use of aerobridges,” it said.

KLIA2 to start operations in Apr 2013

VICTORY AT LAST

SEPANG: The Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA 2), the new low cost carrier terminal, will handle 45 million passengers when it commences operations in April 2013, says Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad today.

He said aerobridges would be built at the terminal to cater for all including the disabled, pregnant women and children.

Bashir said construction work on the project, which began in October 2009, was 42 per cent complete and was estimated to cost between RM3.6 billion and RM3.9 billion.

The dedicated terminal, another landmark of pride located 2km away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, will have 68 departure gates.

The KLIA2 will be the world's largest terminal for low cost carriers in the world and an icon in the aviation industry when it opens its doors for business. -- BERNAMA

Read more: KLIA2 to start operations in Apr 2013 - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/klia2-to-start-operations-in-apr-2013-1.12436#ixzz1fAAy0zsP

Successful DET-DRST Training of Trainers course held at AirAsia Academy from 17th Oct - 21st Oct,2011

The DET-DRST Training of Trainers course went on smoothly and was a great success! The 5-day training involved a total of 31 participants of various disabilities from 3 countries ie 12 from Thailand, 12 from Indonesia and 7 from Malaysia (PAs included).

The DET-DRST Training of Trainers course was co-organised by BEAT and AIRASIA with the support of JICA. BEAT also had the support of APCD (Thailand) and CBR DTC (Indonesia) which helped coordinate the training team from their respective country.

The Official Website of Chief Secretary to The Government of Malaysia

News Highlights

24/10/2011 - Group wants aerobridges at KLIA 2

PETALING JAYA: A group of disabled persons has insisted that the aerobridges were essential at the new KL International Airport 2 (KLIA 2).

About 150 of them gathered at the Taman Jaya Park to make known their stand that the aerobridges were essential for safe boarding and disembarkation of passengers with special needs.

Last month, the Cabinet deferred its decision on the installation of aerobridges at KLIA 2 pending further studies on the matter.

Group spokesman V. Muruges­waran said the long walking distance and ramps leading to the planes were difficult to use and unsafe during bad weather, especially for children, pregnant women and the el-derly.

“We are willing to pay if there is an additional charge for the aerobridges. What we are angry about is that MAHB (Malaysia Airports Hol­dings Bhd) is not even offering the option.

“As an international airport, KLIA 2 surely must have international standard facilities,” said Muruges­waran, who is the president of the Selangor and Federal Territory Da­­mai Handicapped Association.

Beauty consultant Cheong Li Wem, 27, said in line with budget airlines’ “pay for what you use” approach, there should be an option on the use of aerobridges.

“While able-bodied people should be given the option to board with or without an aerobridge, this facility should be made available to the disabled,” she said. 

PROPOSAL TO BUILD AEROBRIDGES AT KLIA 2 NOT YET FINALIZED


Video link - http://www.ntv7.com.my/7edition/business-en/PROPOSAL_TO_BUILD_AEROBRIDGES_AT_KLIA_2_NOT_YET_FINALIZED.html

The Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad, MAHB, has made provisions to install aerobridges at the new low carrier terminal known as KLIA 2.

Deputy Transport Minister Jelaing Mersang told the Dewan Rakyat today that the proposal is still under consideration and will be approved once the airlines decides to use the facility.

He was replying to a question by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who wanted to know if approvals had been given for the building of aerobridges at KLIA2 and for MAHB to raise the airport fees.

He added that MAHB would raise the airport fees once the aerobridges are installed and used.

MAHB has decided not to install aerobridges at KLIA2 after considering budget carrier AirAsia's decision not to use them, citing cost factors.

If the aerobridges are to be installed, MAHB would have to spend about 132 million ringgit.

Group wants aerobridges at KLIA 2

PETALING JAYA: A group of disabled persons has insisted that the aerobridges were essential at the new KL International Airport 2 (KLIA 2).

About 150 of them gathered at the Taman Jaya Park to make known their stand that the aerobridges were essential for safe boarding and disembarkation of passengers with special needs.

Last month, the Cabinet deferred its decision on the installation of aerobridges at KLIA 2 pending further studies on the matter.

Group spokesman V. Muruges­waran said the long walking distance and ramps leading to the planes were difficult to use and unsafe during bad weather, especially for children, pregnant women and the el-derly.

“We are willing to pay if there is an additional charge for the aerobridges. What we are angry about is that MAHB (Malaysia Airports Hol­dings Bhd) is not even offering the option.

“As an international airport, KLIA 2 surely must have international standard facilities,” said Muruges­waran, who is the president of the Selangor and Federal Territory Da­­mai Handicapped Association.

Beauty consultant Cheong Li Wem, 27, said in line with budget airlines’ “pay for what you use” approach, there should be an option on the use of aerobridges.

“While able-bodied people should be given the option to board with or without an aerobridge, this facility should be made available to the disabled,” she said.

Plea for aerobridges at KLIA2

HAMZAH NAZARI

Monday, October 24th, 2011 11:16:00

FOR GOOD OF ALL: Disabled protesters demanding for aerobridges at KLIA2 — Pic: Ashraf Shamsul Azlan

PETALING JAYA: About 200 people, comprising both able-bodied and the disabled, yesterday protested against the lack of aerobridges at KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2), which will replace the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal.

The protest, a joint effort by organisations related to the disabled community, was held in Taman Jaya Park as a chance for the disabled to voice their opinions.

Holding up placards and banners, participants chanted "We want aerobridge" and "KLIA2 is for all".

Those disabled said they had the chance to be heard at their protest in Bangsar last month, so the megaphone
was passed on to able-bodied speakers to voice their concerns.

Adam Nicholls, 37, an English tourist visiting Malaysia for the fifth time, said the lack of plans for aerobridges at KLIA2 surprised him.

Gun Chin Yong, 29, said Malaysia could not declare itself a "friendly country" if it lacked facilities not just for locals, but for oversea visitors, especially for those with special requirements such as the disabled, pregnant and elderly.

He said as a volunteer, his experience is for such groups, climbing stairs to board airplanes instead of using an aerobridge is not just inconvenient but dangerous too.

Astivaram Foundation Selangor secretary-general Annaduraimuthusamy, 39, said Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) should not just think about profit.

Malaysia Tamilan Helping Hands president A. Muraly said said his group was present to request the aerobridge be built.

It is understood the Cabinet has deferred the request for aerobridges after it was tabled on Sept 7.

KLIA2, the replacement to the current Low Cost Carrier Terminal, is expected to be completed in a year and located 1.5km from KLIA.

“我们需要登机桥”‧200残疾人自愿团体和平请愿

“我们需要登机桥”‧200残疾人自愿团体和平请愿

• 国內
 

 2011-10-23 18:11

• 
  约200位来自不同团体的弱势人士，要求政府马上在吉隆坡第二国际机场设置登机桥。 （图：星洲日报）

（吉隆坡23日讯）“我们需要登机桥！”约200名弱势群体及自愿团体人士，今早在再也湖滨公园和平请愿，要求大马政府聆听他们的声音，在第二吉隆坡国际机场设立登机桥。

他们来自不同非政府团体，包括无障碍环境与设施团体（BEAT）、雪州与联邦直辖区Damai残障人协会、双福残障自强发展协会、雪隆学习障碍人士自力更生协会（United Voice）、无障碍行动协会（Persatuan Mobiliti）、马来西亚青年基督协会聋哑自助中心（YMCA Majudiri）、大马Tamilan Helping Hands，以及老弱妇孺和志愿人士。

【世华‧奇闻】笨贼面子书玩上癮，偷东西竟“打卡”成罪证！

参与请愿行动的不仅是残疾人士，也有婴孩到80岁的老年人和孕妇，他们不分种族开布条，高喊“我们需要登机桥！KLIA2是大家的权利！”的口號。

他们是向大马机场控股公司和政府表达坚决和明確的意愿，即要求第二吉隆坡国际机场设登机桥，以便为残疾人士和老弱人士提供方便。

李秋菊（无障碍环境与设施发言人）：交通部表示不能做主

“我们上个月將意愿传递给交通部长江作汉，他很同情我们，然而却不能做主，他表示必须將此课题带到內阁討论和决定，但至今仍未有下文。

我们想藉此机会向政府施压，希望內阁严正看待这个课题，给大家一个答案。”

（星洲日报）

Bank 'humanised'

Facilities installed to aid movement of disabled and elderly folk

RAM ANAND

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 15:55:00

PETALING JAYA: Disabled and elderly-friendly facilities proved to be the main attractions as Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) launched its flagship branch at Sunway Giza in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, yesterday.

The branch also signifies Maybank’s new corporate identity, which, in the company's motto, attempts to "humanise financial services".

This was done by installing wheelchair ramps and automatic sliding doors, among others, at the branch, as part of Maybank's efforts to transform its consumer-based banking to be more community-based, thus reaffirming its position as a market leader.

"We have positioned our branches as one-stop centres that can meet all financial needs of the community," said Maybank chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar (pic).

The bank will also host a first-of-its-kind, self-service broker kiosk that allows customers to perform online stockbroking transactions, a helpline that is directly connected to the Maybank Group Customer Care as well as automated teller machines (ATMs) with lower panels.

"A total of 66 branches will be transformed to Maybank's new look during this financial year with five being rolled out next month," said Abdul Wahid.

Among the five would be those in SS2 Petaling Jaya and the City Complex in Jalan Klang Lama.

"Within the next five years, 150 branches will undergo this transformation along with 2,000 touch points," Abdul Wahid said.

Maybank deputy president and head for community financial services Lim Hong Tat said: "We started this transformation programme a year ago and we have trained our staff in that order.

"The intention is to make branches less cluttered, more comfortable and stress-free, coupled with greater service quality."

According to Lim, the renovation costs for each branch was between RM1.2 million and RM 1.8 million, with the whole corporate re-branding cost over the five years estimated to be nearly RM200 million.

Upon touring the new branch, The Malay Mail observed it also offers financial advisers' services with an increased number of counters offering banking advice.

Bank representatives estimate the branch transformations would result in increased revenue worth RM220 million.

Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan president V. Murugeswaran was among those who attended the event.