ID :
32011
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 21:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/32011
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN AIRPORTS PESSIMISTIC ON NEXT YEAR'S PASSENGER HANDLING
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Recording a four percent increase in passenger handling this year, Malaysian airports continue to be pessimistic of next year's forecast in view of the global economic downturn.
Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat, in acknowledging this, said passengers
passing through the nation's airports will depend on Malaysia's gross domestic
product (GDP) growth.
According to him, this year's growth came during the first eight months of
2008 but the last quarter is expected to be severely dented by the prevailing
economic conditions.
"This (economic downturn) is the overall scenario that we should have in
mind. We know at this juncture, this is primarily due to the economic downturn
globally," Ong said.
"However, it shouldn't be construed merely on the total number of
passangers that we are going to have but also on future economic conditions," he
said during a press conference after launching the 45th Conference of Directors
General of Civil Aviation Asia and Asia Pacific Regions.
On Sunday, Malaysia Airlines' senior general manager of sales Bernard
Francis told a local daily that the airline would not scrap routes in the
current economic slowdown but would make seasonal adjustments to its
capacity.
Ong said that Malaysia would be working closely with the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) to be the pioneer state for the secure freight
programme for air cargo security.
"This will be part of our efforts to enhance aviation security. We are in
consultations with Australia on air security officers to be placed on aircraft,"
he said.
"We are also consulting with the European Commission to facilitate
international passangers bringing liquid, aerosol and gels from Malaysia
transiting in European countries," he added during his opening speech.
Touching on environmental concerns within the aviation industry, Ong said
Malaysia would also continue to actively monitor and initiate further
environment-friendly initiatives, measures and programmes and consult the
industry to reduce the impact of aviation emissions.
"Among the measures planned is the introduction of the Continuous Descent
Approach (CDA) concept," he said.
"We are in discussions with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines,
Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines Pilots
Association to implement CDA trials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport," he
added.
Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat, in acknowledging this, said passengers
passing through the nation's airports will depend on Malaysia's gross domestic
product (GDP) growth.
According to him, this year's growth came during the first eight months of
2008 but the last quarter is expected to be severely dented by the prevailing
economic conditions.
"This (economic downturn) is the overall scenario that we should have in
mind. We know at this juncture, this is primarily due to the economic downturn
globally," Ong said.
"However, it shouldn't be construed merely on the total number of
passangers that we are going to have but also on future economic conditions," he
said during a press conference after launching the 45th Conference of Directors
General of Civil Aviation Asia and Asia Pacific Regions.
On Sunday, Malaysia Airlines' senior general manager of sales Bernard
Francis told a local daily that the airline would not scrap routes in the
current economic slowdown but would make seasonal adjustments to its
capacity.
Ong said that Malaysia would be working closely with the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) to be the pioneer state for the secure freight
programme for air cargo security.
"This will be part of our efforts to enhance aviation security. We are in
consultations with Australia on air security officers to be placed on aircraft,"
he said.
"We are also consulting with the European Commission to facilitate
international passangers bringing liquid, aerosol and gels from Malaysia
transiting in European countries," he added during his opening speech.
Touching on environmental concerns within the aviation industry, Ong said
Malaysia would also continue to actively monitor and initiate further
environment-friendly initiatives, measures and programmes and consult the
industry to reduce the impact of aviation emissions.
"Among the measures planned is the introduction of the Continuous Descent
Approach (CDA) concept," he said.
"We are in discussions with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines,
Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines Pilots
Association to implement CDA trials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport," he
added.
