PM: Gov't to review 'unfair' airport tax at KLIA2
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to look into AirAsia's demand to reduce passenger service charges (PSC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2), a low-cost carrier terminal.
It is unfair to tax the KLIA2 passengers the same as those using the main Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), he said.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to look into AirAsia's demand to reduce passenger service charges (PSC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2), a low-cost carrier terminal.
It is unfair to tax the KLIA2 passengers the same as those using the main Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), he said.
"We are studying it," he told a press conference during his visit to AirAsia in Sepang today.
AirAsia founder Tony Fernandez has been fighting for the government to reduce the airport tax which increased from RM50 to RM73 effective July last year.
"Obviously it (AirAsia) will charge (its) passengers low fares. And when you charge the passengers the same taxes for high-cost flights and low-cost flights, it is not fair, " said Mahathir.
He said the government was reviewing the tax structure so everyone will be taxed fairly.
He also said the government would study calls to postpone the departure levy which slated to be implemented from Sept 1.
AirAsia had challenged Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd's and its parent body Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) action on the PSC charges in court last year.
It was reported today that MAHB and its subsidiary has also sued AirAsia Bhd and three others for defamation over three online articles linked to the contentious PSC issue.
The three articles by AirAsia were uploaded online on Dec 14 and Dec 19, last year and Feb 4 this year.
When asked on this, Mahathir said he preferred both parties to resolve their differences outside the courtroom.
"When there are differences and they can't resolve it outside the court, normally they go to the court. But I would prefer the solution outside the court," he said.
