The travel and tourism industry are still in its post COVID-19 recovery phase. In 2022, the number of passengers using KLIA reached 25 million, nearing pre-pandemic levels. Moreover, the government is also intending to restore the standing of KLIA as one of the top 10 best airports in the world, a status it had once enjoyed till 2012. The increase in the tax is being justified with more infrastructure being developed - new sets of aerotrains are expected to be in operation by March 2025, and new lounges and shopping facilities are also being constructed. The need to be on par with other regional international airports in terms of facilities require more investment, justifying the increase.
However, the rise in the international departure passenger service change, which also affects the low-cost carrier-based KLIA Terminal 2, would have an impact on affordability and accessibility, especially for budget-conscious travellers. For many budget travellers, any additional financial strain on their air travel would dissuade them from traveling altogether. Moreover, as home to Asia’s leading low-cost airline, any increase in usage charges of KLIA risks efforts to make Malaysia a leading hub of low-cost travel. This comes amidst challenges posed by other rising low-cost carriers within Asia, competing for the expanding market of affordable air travel.
While some may argue that the increase is only for international departure, and domestic travel would not be affected, we must also realise that the world is increasingly being interconnected. Visitors to Malaysia would often extend their travel to other destinations within the Southeast Asian region. Moreover, the ASEAN Tourism Forum intends to promote ASEAN member states as single tourism destinations. Factoring in additional costs for international departure from KLIA risks reducing efforts to increase inter-ASEAN travel.