Uh oh, the latest update from the Malaysian government in regards to the airport tax hike is not going to sit well with many people.
The Sun reported yesterday (22nd September) that the new Passenger Service Charge (PSC) or airport tax will see higher rates imposed on those travelling. The new implementation is said to take place the beginning of next year (1st January 2017).
According to the publication, the increased rates for the domestic and international categories, as well as a new “Asean” category is to “level the playing field” among the airlines and assist Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in providing “better services to the public”.
Here are the new charges for PSC/ airport tax:
- Domestic flights – RM11 (an increase of RM2 from the current RM9)
- Flights to ASEAN countries – RM35
- All other international flights – RM73 (an increase of RM8 from KLIA’s current RM65 plus an increase of RM41 from KLIA2’s current RM32 rate)
To put it into perspective, the increase of domestic flights is only an additional of RM2, but it’s the international flights to non-ASEAN countries that will see a huge increase of more than 120% (from RM32 to RM73)!
It is believed that those flying to ASEAN countries from Malaysia will benefit most from this new implementation while those flying internationally will no doubt have to bare the burnt of this fare hike.
When questioned about the unfair airport tax increase between KLIA and KLIA2, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai downplayed the tremendous increase saying, “There is no discrimination in Malaysia’s policies“, before adding that “an extra RM30 to RM50 should not matter much for a person paying thousands for their tickets.”
For more information, check out Malaysia Airports’ on PSC here.
Sources: The Sun, Free Malaysia Today.
