PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre (KLATCC) is now operating from its new base in Sepang with added capacity, connectivity and efficiency.

       Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong hailed the new control centre – inspired by the local traditional kite or wau with a modern twist – an important milestone in the country’s civil aviation industry, and the pride of Malaysia.

       He said the migration from Subang, which took place early yesterday, saw the country’s airspace being restructured from seven sectors to 14 sectors now.

       “The new airspace structure is equipped with new airways, departures and arrival standards alongside a new backend system.

       “These improvements are aimed at providing cascading lucrative returns to the country via the expansion of the aviation industry,” he posted on Facebook yesterday.

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

       “The new KL FIR airspace allows 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 boost aircraft movements per hour by fully utilising the three runways available at KLIA simultaneously.

       “The all-new airspace structure will provide a more efficient and seamless air traffic management.

       “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.

       Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry said that guidelines by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Council (MAIK) were followed in the demolition of Surau Al-Mikraj at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Baru.

       The surau, which had to be demolished due to expansion works at the airport, will be replaced with bigger and more comfortable prayer rooms in 14 locations at the terminal area, the ministry added in a statement.

       Addressing concerns on social media, the ministry said the demolition had been carried out based on the agreement, procedures and rulings decided by MAIK, especially on the method of managing the waqf property of materials containing the holy verses of the Quran and Khat Art.

       The ministry said it also upheld the decree of Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V who ordered that all concrete materials removed from Surau Al-Mikraj be handed over to Masjid Telipot, Kota Baru, while reusable materials be handed over to MAIK before being distributed to Kampung Laut Mosque in the state capital.

       “The ministry is expanding and upgrading the airport, including the terminal building, to meet the needs of up to four million passengers a year.

       “The total area of ？？the new surau provided will be 560sq m, which can accommodate up to 500 worshippers in all locations at one time,” the statement stated.

       The ministry added that it is also very concerned with and careful in addressing sensitive issues involving religious and cultural diversity in Malaysia.