Ministry, AirAsia should work out win-win situation — Masidi

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KOTA KINABALU: The Transport Ministry and AirAsia should work out a win-win situation on the relocation of AirAsia operation base at Terminal Two to the main terminal of Kota Kinabalu International Airport, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

“AirAsia, being a low-cost airline, wants to be efficient.

“They want to cut cost,” said Masidi.

While AirAsia has the reasons not to move to Terminal One, Masidi said the airline should also look into the points raised by the government.

“If cost is an issue, the government will be happy to listen,” he said when asked to comment on the issue after officiating at the Canadian Education Fair here yesterday.

He further stressed that his ministry should not be quoted as having any interest in this matter as they do not own or run an airport.

“The point here basically is little difference of opinion between the Ministry of Transport and AirAsia.

“They should look into the national interest rather than profit and other considerations,” Masidi added.

Recently, AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the Ministry of Transport had set June 1 for AirAsia to move their operations to KKIA Terminal 1.

Tony who wants to continue operating at its present premises, said if AirAsia were forced to KKIA Terminal 1, it would mean the current airport tax of RM25 per passenger would have to be increased to RM51 because of the aerobridge and other facilities and this would mean more flights would be cancelled.

He added their Indonesian counterparts also wanted to cancel the KK-Jakarta flight soon due to the move.