KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry through the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is currently devising a key performance indicator (KPI) to ensure that domestic airlines meet and exceed their on-time performance targets.
Its minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said appropriate measures would be taken via the KPI if domestic airlines failed to comply with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC), which regulates flight cancellations, refunds, and delays.
However, he added that various factors must also be considered as failure to meet on-time performance was beyond the control of airline companies, such as weather conditions.
"In terms of improving and enhancing on-time performance, Mavcom will take action if local airline companies fail to comply with MACPC.
"We will seek an approach to establish an on-time performance target and appropriate measures will be taken if they (local airlines) cannot achieve this (target performance).
"(And) while I agree that there are many aspects that need improvement, it is important to also note that flight delays are influenced by various factors and there are things beyond the control of airline companies," he said during minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, today.
He said this in response to a supplementary question by Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) on whether local airlines would face disciplinary action over the delay in flights.
Loke added that Mavcom was also expected to have the KPI established by the first quarter of next year.
He also said the regulatory body for the aviation industry was also exploring the establishment of the percentage of domestic flight cancellations.
Meanwhile, in terms of on-time performance for domestic flights, Loke said that on-time performance by local airlines fell by three points in the third quarter (Q3) of this year, compared to the second quarter (Q2) of this year.
"Local airlines recorded a 79 per cent on-time performance in Q3 2023, compared to 82 per cent in the Q2.
"Of the total, SKS Airways recorded a 95 per cent on-time performance, followed by MASwings (93 per cent), Batik Air Malaysia (82 per cent), and Firefly (77 per cent)."