MAHB has submitted proposal to government and is awaiting for an announcement: Chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: Malay-sia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is looking at the prospect of further incentives for airport charges, says chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman.

Aris said MAHB submitted the proposal to the government earlier this year and is waiting for an announcement.

“We are looking at rebates and benefits for airlines based on passenger growth,” he told reporters after the graduation of 178 airport fire and rescue services staff.

Aris said there are already incentives to attract airlines, adding that “foreign airlines enjoy free landing and parking for three years since 2002.

“In April this year, we introduced 50 per cent discount for landing charges until 2011 for all airlines,” he said. “Our airport charges are the lowest in the region.”

He said MAHB also monitored incentives by regional airports to remain competitive.

Of the 39 airports managed and operated by MAHB, Aris said nine of them are profitable including five international airports — KL International Airport (KLIA), Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

As to the impact of H1N1 virus, he said for the period between January and June this year, passengers at KLIA recorded a 16 per cent drop in passenger volume while the low cost carrier terminal registered 29 per cent increase.

— Bernama