CHICKEN OR THE EGG

Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents (MATTA) is asking for government intervention in bringing in international flights to Senai International Airport.

 

"The government should take the lead, of course airlines will say there is a lack of demand. The government, however can make government-to-Government arrangements to help boost demand," MATTA Johor chapter chairman Kenny Ngi told reporters after a briefing on its upcoming fair yesterday. He said the association has met with Johor Tourism officials to discuss the issue.

 

According to Senai International Airports' website, it currently serves only three airlines which fly to seven destinations locally. "By 2015, most of the developments under Iskandar are to be operational, so we need to start now to promote international flights out of Senai," Ngi said. Currently, 99 per cent of outbound travel from Johor is through Changi International Airport.

 

Senai International Airport is the only airport in the country not owned and run by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. It is owned by a subsidiary of MMC Corp, Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd. Both AirAsia Bhd and Firefly have at different times wanted to make Senai Airport its southern hub. Those plans, however never materialised.

This is exactly the point. When the airport was privatised to companies linked to Tan Sri Mokhtar Albukhari, it was then promised to the government that Senai Airport will be the hub of commercial passenger and cargo handled by air. It was also promised that a multi-modular transportation concept be introduced to this part of the world. Cargoes will be flown in by air and transhipped to ocean going vessels at Tanjung Pelepas. 

Clearly it was empty promises. Now it is back to the drawing board.