This is the type of KLIA-2 that Tan Sri Tony wanted
By Yang Berhormat Wee Chee Keong, Ahli Parlimen Bukit Bintang
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes wanted LCCT for AirAsia. The Tun Abdullah’s Administration built for him costing the nation more than RM200 million. AirAsia was also allowed to owe huge airport tax debts for years under the same Administration. He wanted Rural Air Services (RAS) the same Administration gave him with a reward of about RM65 million subsidy. In less than a year he dumped the RAS to MAS with seven un-airworthy aircrafts plus a bill of RM35 million to MAS. Khazanah Nasional Bhd pretended not to know about it. MAS had to absorb the RM35 million. A year or so ago he wanted to build his own airport in Labu. Sime Darby was very keen under the leadership of Datuk Zubir. Luckily the Government under Datuk Seri Najib said “NO” to him. He wanted the new KLIA-2 without aerobridges, MAHB said “YES SIR”.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes’ business model is unfriendly to the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and others who need the convenience of aerobridges and other amenities. Now Every One Can Fly and Now Everything Is Chargeable. Even counter check -in, passengers had to pay RM10. I will not be surprised that wheel chair is also chargeable. I really am glad that representatives of disabled groups have protested against Tan Sri Tony Fernandes’s demand for no aerobridges in the new KLIA-2 and the Minister of Transport, YB Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha has promised to bring their plight to the Cabinet for decision on whether or not to build aerobridges.
Modern airports throughout the world have aerobridges as part of its design unless if it is built by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. For heaven sake, it costs only 25 Sen per passenger to use the aerobridge. I am sure that most of the passengers can afford this.
Even in Phuket and Chiang Mai airports, there are aerobridges. In this modern era not a single new airport is without aerobroidges. Since Airasia X Sdn Bhd flies to Chiang Mai airport, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes should insist that AirAsia X Sdn Bhd will not use its aerobridge. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes should start to lobby other countries to build a special airport with no aerobridges for the exclusive used by AirAsia X Sdn Bhd like what he did during Tun Abdullah’s Administration. Without a doubt, he will definitely get a “Two Finger” reply.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Malaysian Government does not owe you or AirAsia and/or AriAsia X Sdn Bhd a living! The Government has to take care of Malaysians. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes must now realise that the honeymoon period between 2003 until April 2009 was all over. The 4th Floor Administration was no longer around!
This is the modern airport and this is what the passengers want.
Oh, just build the aerobridges and make the new KLIA2 terminal as modern world-class terminal rather than cater to Air Asia's sole "needs". KLIA2 is for all LCCs, not just Air Asia.
ReplyDeleteIf Air Asia doesn't want to use the aerobridges, fine. Don't use them. But MAHB should build them anyway for other airlines to use. Mark my words, with the aerobridges there, and other LCCs using them, sooner or later Air Asia will decide to use them anyway when passengers start to praise the ease and comfort of boarding and disembarking with the other airlines.
What sort of world-class LCC does Air Asia want to potray itself; climbing up and down rickety stairways, using umbrellas when it rains, letting the passengers brave the heat? An LCC that keeps counting money and turn a blind eye to the needs of its customers.