Budiey
Kementerian Pengangkutan enggan mengulas keengganan syarikat penerbangan tambang murah, Air Asia dan Air Asia X untuk berpindah dari Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah (LCCT) biarpun terminal itu akan menghentikan operasinya pada 9 Mei ini.
AirAsia dijangka akan dipanggil tidak lama lagi oleh jawatankuasa parlimen untuk memberikan pandangannya mengenai lapangan terbang baru itu.
“Saya tidak boleh komen dulu. Kita tunggu hari itu,” kata Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi seperti dipetik oleh Bernama.
LCCT akan menamatkan operasi pada tarikh itu apabila kerajaan memindahkan semua agensi berkaitan seperti imigresen dan kastam berpindah ke lapangan terbang baru, KLIA2.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AirAsia Bhd, Aireen Omar dalam satu kenyataan pada Selasa berkata pihaknya sedia berpindah ke KLIA2 tetapi perpindahaan itu hanya akan dibuat selepas semua isu diatasi. Beliau merujuk kepada kajian Ikram Premier Consultings mengenai kesediaan KLIA2 baru-baru ini yang menunjukkan ada lekukan di landasan yang memerlukan langkah pemulihan berkala.
“Keadaan ini akan menjejas operasi penerbangan hab seperti kumpulan AirAsia yang mempunyai kira-kira 400 pergerakan pesawat sehari dan sekurang-kurangnya 70 pesawat miliknya di LCCT,” kata Aireen.
Selain itu, Aireen juga memaklumkan pihaknya memerlukan masa lebih daripada dua bulan seperti yang diberikan oleh Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) untuk berpindah ke lapangan terbang baru itu.
Tempoh yang diberikan oleh MAHB itu pada pendapat AirAsia “tidak realistik dan terlebih optimis.”
Selain itu, Aireen juga membangkitkan beberapa isu lain dalam kontrak antara AirAsia dan MAHB yang perlu diselesaikan sebelum perpindahan itu dibuat.
Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, pengurus kanan MAHB, Datuk Azmi Murad berkata KLIA2 akan beroperasi mengikut jadual.
Ditanya apakah AirAsia ada masa yang cukup untuk memindahkan operasinya ke lapangan terbang baru itu, beliau berkata: “Kita akan lihat.”
STATEMENT BY AIRASIA CEO, AIREEN OMAR
SEPANG, 2 APRIL 2014 – Following the article published in The Star dated 2nd April 2014 and other published articles, AirAsia would like to further clarify our decision to remain in LCC Terminal after 9th May 2014.
1. We are more than ready to move to klia2 but we must move under the right circumstances. We will be the anchor tenant at the new airport, accounting for more than 80% of klia2’s traffic, hence the critical need for klia2 to be fully functional and operationally viable in the long term.
2. We are trying our level best to resolve all pending and pressing issues (as we have done for the past three years) with Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) so that we can proceed to move to our new home accordingly. We still feel there is a need for the regulator to be independent as other industries in Malaysia.
3. From the published articles, it might be perceived that AirAsia is deliberately not moving to klia2 or being difficult on purpose, but I can assure you that is not our intention. There are many concerns, especially on functionality, safety & security of klia2 which are paramount to our staff working efficiently, and for our passengers to have a seamless travel experience.
4. As a regional hub player, AirAsia contributes immensely to the economy of the nation by the traffic brought into Kuala Lumpur through AirAsia’s extensive network. This year, we expect to carry at least 24 million passengers via Kuala Lumpur, and with this size of operations, we have to ensure the airport is fully functional without any possible interruptions.
5. We are ready and committed to make the best out of klia2 although it is not the design we wanted, and no longer a fully low-cost carrier terminal as initially promised by MAHB.
6. We would like to appeal for the involvement of our leader, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak as his intervention is crucial in resolving this national issue. Klia2 has the potential to be a global aviation hub, just like Dubai. AirAsia, as the largest low cost carrier in the region can and will contribute towards making that a reality, directly elevating the nation’s aviation industry as a whole.
7. As a major contributor to Malaysia’s economy, AirAsia must be given a voice as we are the main user of klia2. AirAsia looks forward to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
