A Groovy Goodbye to the Awana Skyway
Malaysia’s First Cable Car System
After 40 years of amicable record and as an unwavering mode of transportation for Resorts World Genting, the Awana Skyway has finally ceased operations on 1st April 2014 to make way for the construction of an all new cable car system due to reopen in 2016.
The Awana Skyway was built in 1975 and was then Malaysia’s very first cable car system. The system was previously known as Sri Layang cable car system or The Flying Carpet Cable Car Ride but was later changed to the Awana Skyway to reflect its station location at the Awana. The cable car is a Jig-back system that spans over 2.4 km on five towers connecting three different stations, namely Awana, Chin Swee and Genting with the latter located at the Genting Grand Hotel. Each cabin carries a maximum of 40 passengers at a speed of five meters per second.
In mid 2009, a major refurbishment took place where substantial components of the system were replaced. The upgrading works had greatly enhanced the cable car operability, reliability and safety. Other than a mode of transport for many, the Awana Skyway has also given many visitors the joy of enjoying the beauty of nature that boast of a 130 millionth year old tropical forest and fresh air.
Present at the closing ceremony was Mr Aaron Chia – Executive Vice President of Resorts World Genting. Also with him were Mr Thomas Ng – Senior Vice President of IT & Theme Park, Mr Leow Beng Hooi – Senior Vice President and other members of the management. They were all invited to take one last ride on the cable car before the system is officially shut down. The event ambience and decoration took everyone back to the 70s where retro-music complimented the occasion with Genting Theme Park mascots there to grace the closing ceremony.
To commemorate the Awana Skyway years in operation, a Groovy Goodbye farewell was held from 22 until 31 March 2014 at Awana Skyway and Genting Stations. A special rate of RM1.00 per trip was offered to visitors, where many tourists and holiday makers who were regulars and loyal patrons of the cable car system partake on the special price opportunity.
Historical information and fun facts of the cable car were also put up for visitors’ reference during the said period. In addition, visitors were also offered a memento each that comprises of a collection of six different classic stamp designs of the Awana Skyway system. That’s not all. Information on the upcoming new cable car system was also showcased.
With the Awana Skyway now closed, the Resort is looking forward to the construction of the new cable car system that comprises of 106 gondolas, covering an estimate distance of 2.8 km. The new system will have the capacity to carry up to 2,000 passengers per hour from Sri Layang/Awana to the Resort. This new cable car system is part of the RM5 billion Genting Integrated Tourism Plan investments announced mid December 2013.
Resorts World Genting takes this opportunity to thank all its patrons to the Awana Skyway and look forward to their continuous patronage at the Genting Skyway while waiting for the new cable car system to open its doors sometime in 2016.