AirAsia still collecting RM50 at klia2
SEPANG: AirAsia Group Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd defended their refusal to collect additional RM23 passenger service charge (PSC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) imposed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) in February.
AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Riad Asmat said passengers using klia2 should not be charged the same rates as passengers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
It said klia2 was a low-cost terminal with far lower levels of services provided to passengers compared with KLIA, which is a full-service terminal.
“On February 1 this year, MAHB’s subsidiary, Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd (MASSB), increased the airport tax for nonAsean international passengers departing from klia2 to RM73 from RM50, thus equalising PSC between klia2 and KLIA.
“AirAsia has been collecting RM50 airport tax from every non-Asean international passenger departing from klia2 since January 1 last year on behalf of MASSB.
To date, AirAsia has paid RM478,055,829.24 in airport taxes to MASSB.
“From our calculations, the cross-claims far exceeded the amount of airport tax that we have refused to collect for MASSB from our passengers,” said Riad.
On Tuesday, MASSB served AirAsia Group’s unit — AirAsia Bhd — a writ of summons for RM9.4 million for refusing to collect PSC.
AirAsia X said it had been served with an unsealed copy of a writ of summons for RM26.7 million in alleged PSC arrears.
Riad said AirAsia had lodged a number of complaints on the substandard infrastructure and access at klia2.
They included the unsatisfactory state of infrastructure at klia2, apron defects, ground depression, flooding, ruptured fuel pipelines and ad hoc runway closures due to continuous resurfacing requirements, closure of departure gates and damage to aircraft.
The group claims this had affected its operational performance and punctuality.
“We reiterate that we have tried, on various occasions, and without success, to engage with MASSB on these issues.
“Regrettably, MASSB has, instead, decided to take the matter public and instigate legal action,” said Riad.