PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) is now operating from its new base in Sepang.

       Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the migration, which took place early on Wednesday (Sept 1), was a historical moment as the country's airspace has been restructured from seven sectors managed under the old centre in Subang to 14 sectors managed by the new KLATCC.

       "The new airspace structure has new airways, new departures and arrival standards, alongside a new back-end system.

       "These improvements are aimed at providing cascading lucrative returns to the country via the expansion of the aviation industry," he said on Facebook Wednesday.

       Dr Wee said the operational migration of the new airspace structure has been part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia's (CAAM) ongoing efforts to standardise and incorporate International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in the airspace design of the Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region (KL FIR).

       "By implementing the new KL FIR airspace, it would allow more aircraft to land during peak hours or premium slots, increasing the landing capacity at KLIA from 78 to 108 aircraft per hour, which is among the highest in the world," he said.

       Subsequently, he said, the redesigned airspace would allow more aircraft movements per hour by fully utilising the three runways available at KLIA.

       "The all-new airspace structure will provide a more efficient and seamless air traffic management, enhancement of KL FIR Surveillance Systems, and improvement of KL FIR Communications and Navigation Systems to enable Performance Based Navigation (PBN).

       "In addition to that, it will also enhance Malaysia's competitiveness in the aviation industry by raising the availability and connectivity of the country's civil aviation industry," he added.

       With a design inspired by the local traditional kite or wau with a modern twist, the new KLATCC was an important milestone for the country's civil aviation industry and the pride of Malaysia, Dr Wee said.

       He added that a proper launching ceremony would take place at a suitable time in the near future.