No name change for klia2, says Transport Minister
Astro Awani
June 22, 2016 18:12 MYT
June 22, 2016 18:12 MYT
LIOW: Names should not be changed for the sake of changing. - Filepic
The Ministry of Transport said today that there will be no name change for the KL International Airport 2 (klia2), despite calls from AirAsia to rebrand it as LCCT2.
Its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said, klia2 is registered as part of KLIA’s official code, namely ‘KUL', under the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
"It is neither necessary, nor practical, nor accurate to rename klia2. Names should not be changed for the sake of changing.
"Furthermore, the brand name klia2 has been in use since its inception, for two years now," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Liow said the ministry is open to hear from AirAsia on what proposals they may have in order to position klia2 internationally as a leading low-cost terminal.
He said the government acknowledges the airlines' intention to brand klia2 as a low-cost terminal, in an effort to bring in more tourists to Malaysia.
"The government has always supported the nation’s low-cost carriers, particularly AirAsia.
"We are glad to have played a role in AirAsia’s growth to become one of the world’s largest low-cost airlines," he said.
Liow said that the government is committed to continue supporting and providing incentives to encourage the growth of Malaysia’s low-cost airlines sector.
He also reminded all parties in the aviation sector to collaborate and work together for the benefit of the country and its people, adding that a debate on the matter is unnecessary.
Yesterday, AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar said the company is adamant on using the word 'LCCT2' when referring to klia2 and would be stating klia2 as LCCT2 on its websites, tickets and promotional materials, as in the group's campaign launched two weeks ago.
However, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) Managing Director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said using another name for klia2, violates the aviation laws.
He said campaign carried out by AirAsia is against the IATA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.