MELAKA: The absence of bilateral agreements between airlines and the state government has resulted in the discontinuation of commercial flight services at the Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam, according to Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer.
Hameed Mytheen, the Melaka Works, Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Transport Committee chairman, discovered that there were no previous signed agreements that bound airlines to provide services for a specified time frame at LTAM. This loophole has caused sudden decisions by service providers to halt inbound and outbound flights.
He stated that in the past, only verbal agreements were made between the local aviation industry and the state government. The lack of proper agreements led to the loss of local commercial flights when the services were abruptly terminated.
During the soft launch of a global air show held at LTAM on September 18, Hameed Mytheen revealed that the previous state government failed to engage in memoranda of understanding or sign any form of agreement with airlines in order to secure continued commercial flights.
He mentioned a case where an airline, which had promised to serve various international and domestic routes from LTAM, discontinued their services without providing any substantial reasons to the state government. The absence of agreements did not enable the state government to hold the airlines accountable for their decisions.
In the upcoming state exco meeting, Hameed Mytheen intends to address the significance of having a sealed agreement between the state government and airlines. This agreement is crucial for ensuring that carriers are committed to providing commercial flight services for a set period determined by the state government.
When discussing the operation of commercial flights at LTAM with seven airlines, including those from Indonesia, Singapore, and local service providers, he will emphasize the need for an agreement.
Hameed Mytheen pointed out that two local airlines had already ceased operations at LTAM due to a lack of passengers and inadequate aircraft. These airlines claimed that their flights to and from LTAM did not have enough passengers during off-peak periods, leading to high operating costs.
However, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh reassured that the loss of two local carriers would not affect LTAM’s viability as an aviation hub. He also mentioned upcoming talks with an Italian helicopter manufacturing conglomerate to explore the possibility of transforming LTAM into a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center.
Ab Rauf clarified that the recent decision made by two airlines to cease operations at LTAM was purely a commercial one.
Previously reported on September 5 by The Star, there were no longer any commercial flights available at LTAM, which local tourism players considered a rare loss of service. The airport was observed to have empty check-in desks, a baggage carousel, and other counters since the previous month, with all flights, including those to Pekan Baru, Indonesia, and Penang, no longer in operation.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
