SINGAPORE has agreed to suspend usage of the instrument landing system (ILS) for its Seletar Airport that allegedly affects airspace over southern Johor for one month.

Malaysia also suspended the restricted area (RA) over the airspace, which was declared in protest of the ILS implementation.

The “simultaneous, immediate” suspension – for one month in the first instance – was announced today following a “positive and constructive” meeting between Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and his Singaporean counterpar, Vivian Balakrishnan, today.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers agreed that the transport ministers of both countries should meet soon to discuss the RA and Seletar Airport ILS procedures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the civil aviation sector.

Bernama, meanwhile, reported that in a joint statement, Singapore and Malaysia said they were committed to preserving and improving bilateral ties, and had agreed to keep the situation on the ground calm to allow for discussions to take place in a conducive atmosphere.

On Sunday, Saifuddin had said Malaysia stood by its decision that aircraft landing at Seletar Airport in Singapore cannot go through Malaysian airspace over Pasir Gudang, Johor. 

The airport, mainly used for freight and private aircraft operations as well as commercial turboprop aircraft, is across the Straits of Johor from Johor Port in Pasir Gudang.

On December 12, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had said aircraft approaching to land at Seletar Airport would have a huge impact on development in Pasir Gudang as it would limit the height of buildings and structures like cranes. – January 8, 2019.