KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) today announced that passengers transferring flights at most Malaysian airports will be charged a passenger service charge (PSC) of RM7 for domestic flights and up to RM42 for international flights from June 1.
It is important to note that tickets issued before June 1, 2024 will not be subjected to the new rates, even if the date of travel occurs on or after June 1, 2024.
In a statement today, the commission said domestic travellers transferring flights at most airports in Malaysia will be charged RM7, while those transferring flights at Senai International Airport will be charged RM10.
International travellers transferring flights at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 (KLIA1) will be charged RM42.
While international travellers transferring flights at KLIA2 and all other airports will be charged a PSC of RM29.
PSC for domestic travellers are maintained at RM11 for most airports. Senai International Airport however, will raise its PSC for domestic travellers to RM16 from RM11.
Mavcom also said that departure PSC for international travellers regardless of destination would be RM73.
Currently ASEAN bound travellers pay RM50.
Departure PSC for international travellers regardless of destination through KLIA2 and other airports will be standardised at RM50.
Currently travellers bound for beyond ASEAN pay RM73.
The charges are effective from June 1 of this year until Dec 31, 2026.
In a statement, Mavcom said the revised rates is designed to support the aviation sector's recovery and adaptability in the post-COVID-19 pandemic environment.
"This revision falls under Mavcom's responsibility for the economic regulation of the Aviation Services Charges (ASC) in Malaysia under section 46 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 (Act 771), which includes the power to set aviation services charges such as the PSC, aircraft landing and parking charges, among others," it added.
The PSC revision was made after a comprehensive and extended consultation process that commenced in 2021.
Mavcom said it kept the domestic departure PSC unchanged at all airports except Senai International Airport (JHB), recognising the essential role of domestic air travel in linking Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.
"For Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA 2) and other airports, which predominantly cater to short-haul flights, the international PSC is set at RM50. This rate is lower than the RM73 charged at Kuala Lumpur Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA).
"Factors influencing this decision include the higher price elasticity associated with short-haul routes, purchasing behaviours favouring low-cost carrier models, and a more price-sensitive demographic compared to passengers at KLIA," it said.
The decision to merge the ASEAN and beyond-ASEAN PSC categories into a single international PSC of RM73 for KLIA and RM50 for KLIA 2 was also in recognition of the fact that departing passengers use similar facilities and services regardless of their destination.
Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said these steps are to guarantee the financial sustainability of airport operators, enabling them to pursue future refinancing options at favourable rates and sustain investments in effective airport infrastructure.
Mavcom allowed other airports that are not operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, namely Senai International Airport, Kerteh Airport, and Tanjung Manis Airport, to propose revised tariffs to the Commission.
This allowance is based on a market power assessment conducted by the Commission, which determined that these airports either lack market power or the capability to exercise it. Both Kerteh and Tanjung Manis airports opted to adopt the rates recommended by the Commission. While Senai airport opted to implement a separate rate structure.
Tariffs for aircraft landing and parking, and all other aviation service charges (ASCs), including airport pass charges, airside vehicle permits, as well as airside driving permits, will be adjusted to account for inflation. The Commission has determined that adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index escalation represent the minimum necessary change to ensure that tariffs accurately reflect changes in costs.