KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): Batik Airline is hoping for a better standard of service for use of the facilities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), following the decision by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) to standardise the passenger service charges for all international flights out of KLIA or klia2 and other airports at RM73 by June 1 — which will effectively raise the rates for Asean-bound flights from RM35 to RM73.

“With the increased rates that apply to passengers at KLIA, we are hoping for an elevated standard of services for the use of the facilities, and hope to see issues such as congestion addressed in order to offer an excellent passenger touchpoint experience,” said the airline's chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy in a statement.

The airline currently operates from both KLIA and the Subang Skypark Terminal in Selangor.

Chandran also assured that the revised PSC rates will not affect tickets issued prior to June 1, as they will continue to be based on the current rates, even if the travel date occurs on or after June 1.

He was responding to Mavcom's announcement earlier on Tuesday that the PSC or airport tax will be standardised to RM73 for international travellers, whether Asean-bound or going beyond Asean at both KLIA, klia2 and other Malaysian airports.

This will raise the PSC for Asean-bound travellers at these airports by RM38 from RM35 currently, making the rate equal to travellers heading beyond Asean.

A transfer PSC charge will also be introduced come June 1 at RM7 for domestic passengers transferring through any Malaysian airport — except for Senai International Airport (JHB), which will charge RM10 — while international passengers will be charged RM42 for transferring through KLIA, and RM29 through klia2 or other Malaysian airports.

The PSC for domestic departures will remain unchanged at RM11, except for JHB, which will be raised to RM16. The revised charges will be in effect for two and half years till Dec 31, 2026.

Batik Airline is supportive of the PSC revisions, which it sees as essential investments needed to facilitate the ongoing expansion of airport infrastructure that is crucial for supporting the growth of the Malaysian aviation sector.

“At Batik Air, we remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers, and we trust that this initiative will contribute positively to the industry's growth and development,” said Chandran.