KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has formally announced the revised the passenger service charges (PSC), commonly known as airport tax, which will come into effect on January 1, 2017.

The new charges include RM73 for international destinations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and other airports nationwide, and RM11 for domestic destinations at KLIA, Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) and other airports.

A new charge on Asean destinations has also been introduced. This is fixed at RM35 at KLIA, klia2 and other airports in the country.

The new charge makes Malaysia the first country in Asean to introduce an Asean PSC tier.
Mavcom said the move would boost traffic to and from Asean countries.

The aviation regulation body also said the Asean PSC may also increase the possibility of opening second gateways in the region and consequently increasing traffic inflows into points in Malaysia.

The PSC is collected by airlines upon purchase of air tickets and is paid to airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) following completion of the flight.

Passengers who do not travel on a flight for which they have purchased their tickets are eligible for a full refund of the PSC.

Mavcom said it is taking steps to fully equalise the PSC at KLIA and klia2 on a gradual basis. Its first step was equalising the rates at KLIA and klia2 for domestic and Asean destinations.

The commission will also review the PSC in a year’s time with a view to equalise the PSC at KLIA and klia2 for international destinations as well.

“Equalisation of PSC rates at KLIA and klia2 also enables Malaysia to be better aligned to international guidelines, including with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) principle of non-discriminatory pricing at airports,” Mavcom said in a statement today.