KLIA flights to be suspended during National Day flypast rehearsals

PUTRAJAYA: Take-offs and landings at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will be temporarily suspended during rehearsals and the National Day flypast as airspace within the Kuala Lumpur Terminal Control Area is closed on selected dates.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said the airspace would be closed from Aug 26 to 29 and on Aug 31 to facilitate rehearsals and the National Day flypast in Putrajaya.

In a statement today, CAAM said the closures were necessary to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the rehearsals and flypast.

The schedule is as follows:

Aug 26 to 28: Airspace closed from 11am to noon for rehearsals.

Aug 29: Full rehearsal from 8.45am to 9.45am.

Aug 31: National Day flypast from 8.45am to 9.45am.

Passengers travelling through KLIA during the affected periods are advised to check their flight status and schedules directly with their respective airlines, as some flights may be rescheduled or otherwise affected by the temporary suspension of aircraft movements.

CAAM also reminded the public that drone or unmanned aircraft system operations are strictly prohibited within the affected areas during the rehearsals and flypast.

"Unauthorised drone operations pose a serious safety risk, particularly to aircraft operating at lower altitudes and may result in enforcement action under the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016," it said.

CAAM said the temporary measures were necessary to safeguard the safety, security and efficiency of Malaysia's airspace during the National Day flypast.