KUALA LUMPUR: The Kota Kinabalu International Airport was closed for three hours yesterday because of a fire at its air traffic control centre. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the incident at 7.30am prevented the channelling of information to the air traffic control tower, affecting 19 flights to and from Kota Kinabalu, including those of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) which had to be re-timed.
Kong said the cause of the incident was now under investigation. However, initial investigations revealed that a small fire had broken out in the air traffic control centre, forcing its personnel to evacuate.
"After the personnel left their work stations, the centre was shut down in adherence to safety procedures, from 7.45am to 11.05am.
"The airport's Fire and Rescue team arrived at 7.50am and the fire was put out shortly," he said in a statement yesterday.
Kong added that power supply was partially restored at 10am, and by 11.05am, the centre was re- opened and resumed operating.
According to an initial report by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), thick smoke had emerged from the Telekom Malaysia equipment and battery room located on the first floor of the air traffic control centre.
The centre is located 1.5km from the air traffic control tower. It is run by DCA.
In Kota Kinabalu, hundreds of passengers, some travelling to international destinations, were stranded at the airport for up to five hours, but no injuries were reported.
Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman said they received a call at 7.40am and five fire engines were despatched.
The thick smoke had affected the entire building's ventilation system.
In a separate statement, MAS director of operations Captain Azharuddin Osman said the airline had to delay some of its flights to and from Kota Kinabalu yesterday due to the temporary closure.
"We have re-scheduled our flights because of the temporary closure of the airport which was beyond our control."
MAS passengers who had booked their flights to and from Kota Kinabalu are advised to check the status of their flights via www.malaysiaairlines.com, or call its call centre at 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or +603-7843 3000 (outside Malaysia) before leaving for the airport.
Passengers can also check their flight status on their handphones by visiting flymas.mobi.
Read more: KK air traffic control fire disrupts flights http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15airport/Article#ixzz19L45olm7
Kong said the cause of the incident was now under investigation. However, initial investigations revealed that a small fire had broken out in the air traffic control centre, forcing its personnel to evacuate.
"After the personnel left their work stations, the centre was shut down in adherence to safety procedures, from 7.45am to 11.05am.
"The airport's Fire and Rescue team arrived at 7.50am and the fire was put out shortly," he said in a statement yesterday.
Kong added that power supply was partially restored at 10am, and by 11.05am, the centre was re- opened and resumed operating.
According to an initial report by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), thick smoke had emerged from the Telekom Malaysia equipment and battery room located on the first floor of the air traffic control centre.
The centre is located 1.5km from the air traffic control tower. It is run by DCA.
In Kota Kinabalu, hundreds of passengers, some travelling to international destinations, were stranded at the airport for up to five hours, but no injuries were reported.
Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman said they received a call at 7.40am and five fire engines were despatched.
The thick smoke had affected the entire building's ventilation system.
In a separate statement, MAS director of operations Captain Azharuddin Osman said the airline had to delay some of its flights to and from Kota Kinabalu yesterday due to the temporary closure.
"We have re-scheduled our flights because of the temporary closure of the airport which was beyond our control."
MAS passengers who had booked their flights to and from Kota Kinabalu are advised to check the status of their flights via www.malaysiaairlines.com, or call its call centre at 1300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or +603-7843 3000 (outside Malaysia) before leaving for the airport.
Passengers can also check their flight status on their handphones by visiting flymas.mobi.
Read more: KK air traffic control fire disrupts flights http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15airport/Article#ixzz19L45olm7
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