Aireen: Passengers at other airports not subsidising klia2

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd CEO Aireen Omar has refuted claims that passengers travelling via other airports are subsidising the operational cost of klia2.
“KL International Airport (KLIA) and klia2 are two vastly different airport terminals that provide different levels of services and facilities to users. It is inaccurate to say the services provided by the two airport terminals are comparable as facilities at KLIA are far superior compared to klia2.
“It is absolutely untrue to claim that passengers travelling on other airports are subsidising the operational cost of klia2. We seek Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (Mavcom) transparency on this claim,” she said in a statement today.
The airline urged Mavcom to review feedback from travellers and customers of klia2 and to look into the multiple representations on the visible differences of the facilities and services at KLIA and klia2.
Aireen was responding to a recent report which said the equalisation of passenger service charges (PSC) at KLIA and klia2 on Jan 1, 2018 would ensure that passengers at KLIA and other airports did not end up subsidising klia2 services and facilities.
The PSC for international departures at klia2 will be raised to RM73 from RM50 now.
The report also mentioned that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had voiced support for the equalisation of PSC.
However, Aireen noted that IATA does not represent the main airlines and passengers of both terminals.
“Without a full, transparent and independent assessment of the airport terminals, they are not in the best position to make a statement on behalf of the industry, and their guidelines of supporting ‘fair and cost-effective airport charges’,” she said.
Aireen also refuted claims that AirAsia is operating on government crutches “since they get a competitive pricing advantage from the lower PSC, at the taxpayers’ expense”.
“PSC is paid directly by customers who travel, and has absolutely no bearing on the financial performance of AirAsia. This statement is completely invalid and unjustified as well as ignoring ground realities,” she said.