AIRASIA Malaysia’s refusal to collect the full passenger service charge (PSC) is based on the “substandard” infrastructure at klia2, its CEO Riad Asmat said today in response to a suit filed by the airport’s operator over tax arrears owed by the budget airlines.

“These cross-claims far exceed the amount of airport tax that we have refused to collect for Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd (MASSB) from our passengers,” he said in a statement.

Riad said the lower level of service provided to passengers at klia2 compared with the full-service terminal at KLIA, did not justify the hike in the PSC, also known as airport tax, from RM50 to RM73 on February 1.

“While MASSB is only taking into account ‘the interest of the stakeholders and staff’, AirAsia, as the people’s airline, is factoring the interests of the public, the tourism industry and the nation,” Riad said.

On December 11, MASSB filed a suit against AirAsia Bhd (AAB) seeking RM9.4 million for unpaid PSCs and RM26.71 million from its long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X Bhd.  

To date, AirAsia has paid a total of RM663,051,008.52 in airport tax to MASSB.

The combined arrears of RM36.1 million are the difference in the increased PSC which AirAsia has said it “has not and will not collect”.

AirAsia previously lodged official complaints regarding the unsatisfactory state of infrastructure at klia2, to no avail, he said.

These included apron defects, ground depression, flooding, ruptured fuel pipelines, closure of departure gates, damages to aircraft and ad hoc runway closures due to continuous resurfacing requirements.

“It is to be reiterated that we have tried, on various occasions, and without success, to engage MASSB on these issues.

“Regrettably, MASSB has instead decided to take the matter public and instigate legal action based on claims that AirAsia will strongly refute.”

Yesterday, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke said his ministry will try to de-escalate tensions between the airport management and low-cost carrier, and called on the parties to work out a settlement. – December 14, 2018.