Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

It is just amazing that after just half a day of initiating the “Say NO to Airport Tax Increase” campaign, we’ve received an overwhelming rate of support and backing to the Campaign by people from all walks of life. This instant consensus by people far and near only goes to show AirAsia’s stand in this matter is commendable and on the right direction.

Apart from emails, supports and backings flew in through various modes of communication such as facebook and twitter, which came through in thousands. There’s also an online petition created at http://www.change.org/petitions/malaysia-airports-holding-berhad-reverse-the-enforced-increment-of-passenger-service-charge-airport-tax

Firstly, I need you to know that AirAsia doesn’t derive profit from airport tax collected because the entire amount goes to Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) being the airport operator. Nevertheless, AirAsia took on the lead role in launching this Campaign on the belief that the increased rate will only detriment the travel industry of Malaysia, thereby making it less and less competitive to our neighbor country down south. Additionally, I truly believe MAHB has absolutely NO justification to implement such increase.

I have over and over again stressed on the sorry state of LCCT and that it is not up to par with other low cost airports around the region. This sentiment has been echoed on each email I received today, which is either sent directly to me or MAHB with me in copy or blind copy. Here I would like to share with you an email from Colin where issues raised by him are very very real and I’m sure they have crossed your mind each time you visit the LCCT or even KLIA for that matter.

Subject:  
A 300,000 miler complaints (WAS: Fwd: Say NO to AIRPORT TAX INCREASE)

From:  
“Colin Charles” Date:   Thu, December 1, 2011 7:45 am To:   media@malaysiaairports.com.my Cc:   bashir@malaysiaairports.com.my (more) Hi! As a frequent traveller of some 300,000 miles per year, I have to admit that Malaysia Airports Berhad runs a joke of an airport. KLIA is an empty vastness with terrible staff from DRB-HICOM, and horrendous lounges. I only tolerate it because it gets me to Singapore, so I can fly to the rest of the world using SQ (and on the occasion it gets me to Bangkok, so I can get to the rest of the world). KLIA is far, has a monopoly on taxis servicing the airport (no free competition is bad), and the facilities in general are just waning. Please look at Changi or Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok for some inspiration. Wait, even BKK Suvarnabhumi is worth looking at. Lets now go to the LCCT. I don’t do much travel from the LCCT. Its usually just KUL-SIN. Today I took my first AAX Premium flight to Seoul. I’m sold, and will stop flying Singapore Airlines to Seoul now (a trip I do at least once monthly). I also take AirAsia around other Asian destinations (Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.) but the core of my business is in Europe and America. My spend on AirAsia is meagre - some RM10,000/annum But my trips to the LCCT is shocking. Its further. The roads are horrendous. The taxis you use are a complete monopoly, that I even had to make a police report against one of them at the tourist police station then. The place is disorganised. It looks very much like a farm of sorts, except its filled with humans. Power sockets are lacking. Your Plaza Premium Lounge is a joke. What public transport options do we have, since you don’t even run the train there. I’ve seen flies inside restaurants, which has just turned me off to wanting to eat there. Immigration at the LCCT. The LCCT is probably a lot busier than KLIA. A testament. Should move MAS to LCCT and AirAsia to KLIA. Immigration is woefully under-resourced at the LCCT. I have never flown to LGK/PEN in a long time (last time I was at LGK, AirAsia did not exist; PEN I prefer to drive). I was at KCH last year, after I believe some rennovations (it was in October). It was a disappointing airport lacking many facilities. BKI was too long ago to remember. I’m with AirAsia on this. Improve facilities. Let me know what I’m getting for my RM7 extra Because for someone that flies a lot, your airport tax increases can add some extras to my yearly travel spend Kind Regards, Colin Charles I hate to be short changed in life. Apart from being an airline operator, I too am a user. So, I felt the same sentiment as Colin did – “tell me what are the enhancements planned at LCCT with the additional sum I paid OR freeze the increment!” MAHB need to know the justification that the Government of Malaysia has sanctioned the increase doesn’t stick with the people now. Anyone that has been to the LCCT is dumbfounded by the announcement of airport tax increase simply because the facilities provided don’t even stand up to necessity: I may be exasperated by all this but I would definitely not let it go without a good fight. So, I would sincerely recommend MAHB to start doing some soul searching and ensure the amount of airport tax imposed is worthy of the facilities provided. To all of you out there who feel you have been short changed, come support and back us by signing the petition (here). AirAsia is committed to bring you affordable air travel as per the tagline “Now Everyone Can Fly”!