Airport maintenance costs across the country rose 34 percent – MOT
KUALA LUMPUR: The cost of maintaining airports nationwide under the management of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is expected to increase by 34 percent in 2024.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) said MAHB has spent as much as RM546 million in 2023 to finance maintenance costs to ensure that all the airports it operates are in good condition.
In a written reply to the National Assembly today, the ministry said MAHB allocated RM191.1 million for the maintenance costs of all airports and airstrips in Sarawak in 2023.
“This allocation has been increased to RM27.1 million for 2024, which is a 41.9 percent increase compared to the cost in 2023,” he said.
The statement was in response to Pele Peter Tinggom’s question about airports across the country, especially in Sarawak, which need to be upgraded, repaired, and maintained.
Explaining further, MOT said that until 2024, it, through MAHB, has identified eight airports that need to be upgraded, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and Kuching International Airport.
Other facilities are Miri Airport, Bario Airfield, Tawau Airport, Penang International Airport, and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang.
“The development costs will be funded by the government through the development allocation or by MAHB, which involves a competitive airport,” he said.
The financing method for upgrading competitive projects will be implemented through an investment recovery model that will be discussed with MAHB and subject to government approval.
According to MOT, this is in line with the government’s decision to grant MAHB the right to operate, manage, maintain, and develop a total of 39 airports and airfields in Malaysia for a period up to 2069 through two operating agreements signed on March 18, 2024.
“To ensure infrastructure facilities and services at all airports throughout the country, including in Sarawak, are safe and comfortable, the Malaysian Aviation Commission is implementing the Quality of Service framework in stages at all airports from September 2018,” he said.
The framework also introduces financial penalties for airport operators who fail to comply with set standards.
