MAHB gets DCA's certificates for its 16 airports

SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has obtained the Aerodrome and Safety Management System (SMS) Certifications from
the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for 16 airports under its management.

The airports comprised all its five international airports and 11
domestic airports.

MAHB chief operating officer Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali said with the certifications, the company could demonstrate to the world that its airports placed high importance to safety.

"These airports will continue to undergo annual scheduled inspections to ensure that the requirements of the certification are continuously met," he said.

He said this during the aerodrome and SMS certification presentation and launching of runway safety team (RST) and standards and safety handbook here today.

The SMS certification indicates conformance to all safety requirements and achieving continuous improvement in safety performance.

These include the essential features of safety such as policy and strategy, and planning and implementation as well as promotion, records, staff training and competency.

As for the aerodrome certification, it means the airport have met the stringent requirements based on Annex 14 Convention on International Civil Aviation.

He said the handbook launched today was the result of cooperation between Airport Standards Division of the DCA and MAHB, which will become the guidelines to those involved in airport development, operations and maintenance projects
under the management of MAHB.

As for RST, he said this is one of the initiatives from the International Civil Aviation Organisation to ensure operation safety and reduce accidents on runways worldwide.

"Each RST will be represented by a pilot from airline companies, air traffic control officer and airport maintenance staff," he said.

Meanwhile, DCA Director-General Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said this effort should be continued to ensure that the services and safety at airports are at the highest level.

He said to date, four airports managed by the Royal Malaysian Air Force located in Lahad Datu, Subang, Kuantan and Labuan have applied to obtain the aerodrome and SMS certifications