PETALING JAYA, April 7 — Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) has been caught offguard following a decision by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to revise the fees of several services effective April 15.

Among the new charges that will see massive hikes are those for the usage of air space, air traffic facilities, pilot’s flight licence and other services related to the air operators certificate (AOC).

MAB said while the prices have remained the same over the past four decades, the airline did not expect such a sudden and huge increase.

“We were caught offguard by this monumental and prohibitive increase in fees after 42 years. Current airspace users cannot be charged fees that are related to previous airspace utilisation,” MAB said in a statement to Malay Mail yesterday.

“We would have welcomed a dialogue or engagement with air space users of this plan and an explanation of the basis of the fees set. The hike will certainly have an impact, not just on us but all airlines and eventually, the passengers.  

MAB said the significant increase and immediate implementation is unprecedented from a charging regime in international air travel and will make foreign carriers avoid Malaysia.

“This will in turn have a knock on and adverse impact on the industry and international and Malaysian travellers. This is something the newly established Aviation Commission needs to look into.”

AirAsia declined comment on the hikes while efforts to solicit input from Malindo Air and Rayani Air were unsuccessful.

An English daily reported yesterday the rise would lead to a ten-fold increase in monthly air navigation flight charges (ANFC).

Airlines were apparently briefed last Friday that ANFC charges will rise from the current five sen per nautical mile to 50 sen for light aircraft. For bigger airplanes, the cost will increase from the present 10 — 25 sen per nautical mile to RM1 — RM2.50, and for A380 aircraft, the fees will be raised from 30 sen to RM3. The minimum charges will be raised from RM5 to RM50 per nautical mile.

For the AOC, a vital document for airlines to fly, the initial approval fees will be increased to RM80,000 yearly from RM400 now for mid-sized aircraft, and yearly renewals will rise from RM400 to RM30,000.

DCA director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman had reportedly said: “They have to understand that our expenses for delivery of services are going up as well. We have to upgrade our systems, maintain and replace them as we want to give them the best.

“Hence, we have to charge a bit. In any case, there has not been a revision in the pricing since 1970 and it costs us money to provide the services.”