Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said she will address the Transport Ministry’s policy preventing foreign air operators from picking up passengers at their point of entry.
She said this in response to concerns raised by Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) Chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw regarding charter flights operated by foreign airlines that are not allowed to carry Malaysian passengers on their return journeys.
Liew said Permanent Secretary in the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Josie Lai, will be tasked with following up on the issue. She assured the matter will be addressed promptly, with further actions expected by next week.
“If confirmed that this is the general practice, we will definitely take it up,” Liew said.
Our report on August 14.
Liaw explained that according to the Transport Ministry’s policy on non-scheduled air services, foreign air operators are only permitted to carry passengers listed on the original manifest.
However, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis under Section 5.2.2, Clause C of the policy concerning domestic routes. “For the sake of the tourism industry, I believe this outdated and counterproductive rule should be abolished,” Liaw said.
He said such restrictive regulation could unfairly disadvantage airlines, as they prevent operators from picking up additional passengers on their return flights.
Liaw hope the State Tourism Ministry would engage with both the relevant airlines and the Transport Ministry to address the issue.
“We do not want airlines to operate here only to incur losses. We aim for a win-win situation where they aren’t forced to return with empty aircraft,” Liew said.
He added that the Transport Ministry needs to simplify the application process for foreign air operators coming to Malaysia.
“Having airlines return with empty planes is not a good policy,” Liew agreed.
She stressed the importance of creating a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved.
