KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) reported a 210 per cent jump in air traffic rights (ATR) applications in the second quarter (Q2) of 2022 compared with the same period last year.

It said the notable increase was driven by the reopening of Malaysia's international borders in April 2022 coupled with airlines mapping out their international network to align with the reopening of international borders by other countries.

A total of 32 applications were submitted, comprising 28 international and four domestic routes, which reflected a 47.6 per cent increase in ATR applications from the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, Mavcom said in a statement today in conjunction with the publication of its latest quarterly ATR report.

The commission explained that the surge in ATR applications in Q2 2022 was further supported by airlines exploring new sectors to strengthen their network.

"This was indicated by ATR applications for several new routes from secondary airports in Malaysia, namely Johor Bahru and Penang, to ASEAN destinations.

"The commission also highlighted greater flight capacity into Australia and New Zealand by Malaysian carriers, particularly via the fifth freedom, from Indonesia to Australia, and Australia to New Zealand," it said.

Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said the commission remains committed to its role as a commercial and economic regulator of the Malaysian civil aviation industry.

"The aviation landscape remains challenging, but we are pleased to report a healthy increase in ATR applications, which signifies the steady recovery of airlines.

"Furthermore, we are happy to support the decision by airlines to explore new sectors as a recovery strategy with the approval of ATR for new routes such as Penang to Denpasar (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Pekanbaru (Indonesia) as well as Johor Bahru to Phnom Penh, Pekanbaru and Kualanamu (Indonesia)," he said in a statement today.

For the quarter under review, Mavcom approved 31 out of the 32 ATR applications received from airlines, representing a 96.8 per cent approval rate, which was higher than the 95.4 per cent approval rate reported for Q1 2022.

Of the 31 ATR approvals, AirAsia received the highest number of approvals, totalling 11 ATRs, followed by Batik Air Malaysia and AirAsia X which received seven and six ATR approvals, respectively.

Meanwhile, the cargo sector saw a slight decline, Mavcom said. Cargo ATRs comprised only 29 per cent of total ATRs issued in Q2 2022 compared to 90 per cent in Q2 2021, according to the report.

The commission attributed the reduction to the revival of passenger services which brought with it belly space cargo capacity.

-- BERNAMA