Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said he is upset over AirAsia’s refusal to move into Kota Kinabalu International Airport’s (KKIA) Terminal 1.

 

He said the issue should have been settled long ago, and if it still can’t be resolved, then he would step in to intervene.

 

“I’m upset. The airport operator Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and the airline AirAsia are supposed to work together. They were supposed to resolve this issue long ago.

 

“If they can’t, I may have to step in. I will look into it. It’s long overdue to be resolved.

 

“Of paramount importance is the convenience of the travellers. The national interest is also at stake,” he told a press conference in Glenmarie, Shah Alam today, after launching a new Nissan showroom and service centre here.

 

Earlier today, AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes ( photo ) had said that the budget airline would not budge from KKIA Terminal 2 where it currently operates, citing higher airport tax at Terminal 1 and warning that it could kill Sabah’s tourism industry.

 

The government had said that Terminal previously ordered AirAsia to move to Terminal 1 by Aug 1, after delays following the initial Jan 1 deadline.

 

Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi had reportedly told reporters yesterday that Terminal 1 can accommodate more passengers, both international and domestic.

 

“This is a directive from the government...All airline companies including AirAsia must move to Terminal 1 after this,” Bernama had quoted him as saying.