KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group's and Malaysia Airlines Bhd's plans to move their entire operations to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and klia2 respectively have come to a halt due to limited capacity.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said it will be difficult for the two large carriers to move their operations entirely as the capacity within the airports, especially during peak period, is relatively full.
"KLIA2 is predominantly AirAsia. They are large carriers. My answer would be 'no' if they want to move entirely to KLIA. It is the same thing for Malaysia Airlines.
"It will also be difficult for Malaysia Airlines to move to KLIA2 although the airport capacity is still big because the airline still has international flights. They would not move efficiently," he told a press conference here today.
"It also does not look good for Malaysia if the airport allows hybrid/low cost carriers to mix with first class/business class carriers. Those are the things that we have to discuss with the airlines," he added.
Badlisham however said AirAsia can still operate in KLIA but not entirely because the airport manager has to take into account the existing airlines operating at the airport.
“KLIA’s capacity is already reaching its maximum now. AirAsia can only move during non-peak periods, for example from 10am to 12pm but during peak hours (6am to 10am), it would be impossible to accommodate AirAsia,” he said.