IATA blasts KL airport charges
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
In June, departure tax for international passengers at the Low Cost Carrier Terminals in Kuala Lumpur and in Kota Kinabalu in eastern Sabah state was dropped by up to half to RM25 (US$7.40). The rate already incorporates security charges, reports said.
The rate for domestic flights was cut by a third to RM6.
At the Kuala Lumpur main terminal and other airports nationwide the departure tax for international passengers remains at RM51 ringgit. For domestic travellers, the tax is RM15.
IATA director-general and chief executive officer, Giovanni Bisignani, wrote to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying there should be a level playing field.
“The discriminatory charges scheme distorts competition and hinders the growth of IATA member airlines, resulting in sub-optimal benefits to Malaysia, and a negative impact on efforts to promote tourism,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
Bisignani added that such discriminatory practice goes against the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization to which Malaysia is a signatory, and called for it to be immediately removed.
“All airlines and their passengers should be offered the same level of charges and incentives in order to maximise growth,” he added.
Malaysia had cut the rates to develop the country as a hub for low cost carriers. For now, AirAsia and Cebu Pacific use these terminals.
Comments are closed.