THE aviation industry must be liberalised to drive fares down and boost tourism, a tourism leader said.
Langkawi Business Association deputy president Datuk Issac Alexander said the Transport Ministry should consider allowing foreign carriers to fly the same routes and landing rights accorded to their local counterparts.
"All carriers should be able to land and fly to all destinations driven by market forces rather than rigid government control. By allowing more carriers into Langkawi, including regional or foreign ones, we can make the industry more competitive," said Alexander, who runs cruise agency Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd.
This, he said, will help local airlines become more efficient while keeping fares affordable.
While tourism is rebounding, especially with visa-free exemptions and the reopening of outbound markets in China and India, Alexander said more could be done to encourage domestic tourists to spend their money at home.
One way to do that is to make airfares more affordable while also providing incentives for the private sector to reinvest in new attractions and products.
Alexander said lower airfares could help to control transport and freight costs, reducing supply chain costs and inflation.
Affordable airfares to Langkawi are needed because the alternative transport option – the ferry service – is struggling to meet demand due to seasonal low tides and escalating operational costs.
Opening up the aviation market will lead to competitive fares and make inbound travel cheaper for Malaysians, Alexander said..
He called on the Langkawi ferry consortium to release their trip schedules early, especially during low tide season. This will allow passengers ample time to plan their trips to and from the island resort.
The consortium has four members operating a fleet of 10 ferries between Perlis (Kuala Perlis) and Kedah (Kuala Kedah) to Langkawi.
"In the past, passengers would arrive at the jetties and then book their tickets. We should now encourage them to book early and offer discount incentives, as the budget airlines do," Alexander said.
Unreliable ferry services have been blamed for the lack of domestic tourists in Langkawi, causing many travel operators to suffer losses.
"They cannot operate as they used to do, expecting passengers to board as soon as they arrive."
Alexander said the long-term solution of dredging the waterways leading into Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, and Langkawi is expected to commence soon.
This will take time to complete so the consortium must be alert and proactive in in their scheduling of trips, he said.
Fifty-two ferry trips from Langkawi to Kuala Perlis have been rescheduled this month because of low tide.
Konsortium Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd operations manager Lt Com (r) Norhafiz Abdul Wahid said the trips are now scheduled to meet the tidal conditions in Langkawi and Kuala Perlis.
Norhafiz said updates are posted on the "Cuti-Cuti Langkawi" Facebook page and www.cuticutilangkawi.com.
There is also a call centre at 012-7327174 for passengers to get the latest information.
The route to Kuala Kedah is unaffected. – August 6, 2024.
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