KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) sees pockets of growth in the cargo segment after the air traffic rights (ATR) applications surged 233% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) for the fourth quarter ended December 31, last year (Q4 2020).
In a statement today, Mavcom said the rise in ATR application rate is due to increased applications for scheduled air cargo services and new domestic routings.
“Of the 40 ATR approvals (93% out of 43 total applications) for Q4 2020, 26 ATR allocations were for domestic destinations while 14 were for international destinations, namely four in China, two in Europe, two in India and the remaining six for other Asian destinations,” it said.
In terms of allocations by airports, Mavcom said 17 ATRs were issued for flights originating from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), six from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), five from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and 12 from other Malaysian airports.
On the breakdown by airlines, it said Malaysia Airlines Bhd received the highest number of approvals at 11 ATRs, followed by AirAsia Group (10), MyJet Xpress Airlines Sdn Bhd (nine), Raya Airways Sdn Bhd (six) and Fly Firefly Sdn Bhd (four).
Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said while the path to recovery for the aviation sector will be a long one, the cargo segment has been growing in tandem with logistics needs.
He said Mavcom, being the economic regulator for the civil aviation industry, recognised the difficulties faced by airlines resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and is also conscious of the need to facilitate airlines as they endeavour to resume full services.
“Hence, effective June 4, 2020, Mavcom had temporarily relaxed a condition of the ATR that automatically revokes unutilised ATRs within six months from the date of the ATR approval.
“This is to alleviate the administrative challenges faced by airlines and allow scheduled airlines to keep their current ATR portfolio active,” he said, adding that the commission will continue to work towards reviving the aviation sector. – Bernama, January 21, 2021
