‘Waterfall’ in KL airport caused by contractor error during roof repair works: Malaysia Airports
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Videos posted on social media showed water pouring from a ceiling structure near a Qatar Airways check-in counter.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM EEEVST/ X
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The water seen gushing out from a ceiling structure in Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA1) on Nov 14 was due to a contractor error, said Malaysia Airports.
The airport operator on Nov 15 said the incident occurred while roof repair and waterproofing works were being carried out
The works are part of a year-long project that began in April 2025 to repair and waterproof the main terminal roof.
Malaysia Airports said in its statement that the contractor had been sealing and covering drainage channels on the rooftop when lightning activity intensified around the airport.
All work was stopped immediately in accordance with safety procedures and the workers were instructed to evacuate the rooftop area.
“In the rush to clear the area due to worsening weather conditions, the contractor failed to remove the plywood boards that were used as temporary covers for the drainage channels,” said Malaysia Airports.
This resulted in one of the roof drainage systems becoming blocked, which prevented heavy rainwater from draining as designed.
The subsequent accumulation of water on the rooftop eventually seeped through the ceiling, leading to the leak.
The ground response team cleaned up and secured the affected area within 1½ hours and airport operations were back to normal thereafter.
The airport operator described the oversight as “an unacceptable lapse in basic work procedures that falls below the standards expected of contractors working on critical airport infrastructure”, reported online news portal Malay Mail.
“KLIA is entrusted by the public to uphold the highest standards and we are committed to ensuring that all contractors and partners adhere to these standards,” said Malaysia Airports, adding that it is taking “decisive action” against the contractor involved.
It is working with the contractor to strengthen work procedures, including mandatory checks of weather forecasts before starting rooftop activities as well as enhanced emergency protocols for immediate work suspension during bad weather.
Malaysian politician and safety advocate Lee Lam Thye on Nov 15 urged Malaysia Airports to take comprehensive corrective action ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 to ensure a seamless experience for travellers following the incident.
He acknowledged the airport operator’s response, but questioned whether it was too late and said that more proactive measures should have been in place, reported The Star.
“Malaysia Airports should have implemented more frequent and thorough safety audits across all parts of the airport to identify and address potential weaknesses in infrastructure and maintenance,” he said.
He added that strict adherence to safety regulations could have prevented recurring issues.
“Such incidents risk harming Malaysia’s image as a tourist destination and may undermine public confidence in KLIA as a reliable international hub. These problems not only erode trust but also affect airline operations and potentially the national economy,” said Mr Lee.
