MALAYSIA-AirAsia has expressed its dissatisfaction at the decision by Malaysian officials to raise airport tax in the country, which will “put the tourism industry at a major risk”.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has implemented an increase in Passenger Service Charges (PSC) for all international flights departing from airports throughout Malaysia.
AirAsia has protested the price increase. The airline Chairman, Aziz Bakar said; “As a low cost travel loyalist, we believe that increased cost needs to be justified with good quality facilities and services for everyone, which are definitely not up to par at the moment. Space for check-in counters, limited parking space, security, quality of toilets, cleanliness of the facilities are not worth the increase.”
The additional cost of travel will also affect the viability of certain routes and threaten the health of Malaysia’s tourism industry. “…travellers in Kuching and Langkawi have demanded for more international routes, but we might not be able to fulfil this as the raised airport tax will decrease the demand for travel. The substantial price of MYR65 (US$20) is almost half the price of our international route fare. This will discourage people from taking holidays and put the tourism industry at a major risk,” Bakar added.
The budget carrier has lobbied hard against the new policy, however, the pleas did not succeed and the airport tax increment stands at the moment.
The airline has also urged tour and hotel regulators to voice their objections to MAHB “as the increase are unfair, making holidays unaffordable and pushing the tourists away”.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has implemented an increase in Passenger Service Charges (PSC) for all international flights departing from airports throughout Malaysia.
AirAsia has protested the price increase. The airline Chairman, Aziz Bakar said; “As a low cost travel loyalist, we believe that increased cost needs to be justified with good quality facilities and services for everyone, which are definitely not up to par at the moment. Space for check-in counters, limited parking space, security, quality of toilets, cleanliness of the facilities are not worth the increase.”
The additional cost of travel will also affect the viability of certain routes and threaten the health of Malaysia’s tourism industry. “…travellers in Kuching and Langkawi have demanded for more international routes, but we might not be able to fulfil this as the raised airport tax will decrease the demand for travel. The substantial price of MYR65 (US$20) is almost half the price of our international route fare. This will discourage people from taking holidays and put the tourism industry at a major risk,” Bakar added.
The budget carrier has lobbied hard against the new policy, however, the pleas did not succeed and the airport tax increment stands at the moment.
The airline has also urged tour and hotel regulators to voice their objections to MAHB “as the increase are unfair, making holidays unaffordable and pushing the tourists away”.
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