airport – Aviation.MY

AirAsia – First Airline to Use New Approach Technology

AirAsia will be the first airline in Malaysia to use Required Navigation Performance Authori- sation Required Approach (RNP-AR APCH) technology, as reported by an article in The Star (Malaysia).

9M-AHA 2015-03-27 13.58.44 — AirAsia Airplane – 9M-AHA

The said technology is the advanced form of performance-based navigation (PBN) technology, enabling airlines to shorten the flight distance, reduce amount of fuel used and also noise pollution, especially near airports.

AirAsia has been known for its aggressive cost-cutting measures since its days of inception. The news article also reported that AirAsia hopes that it can save up to RM 1 million a year from the technology.

“By achieving significant mile savings, we are able to save on fuel costs and this could be translated to more low fares for our guests,” – Aireen Omar, AirAsia Bhd Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

LANDASAN: The initiative to embark on a new technology is a good move, especially when it involves cost savings. It’s time to other airlines, especially the ailing ones, to follow suit right?

San Francisco Airport (SFO), California, United States

In August 2012, I went to San Francisco Airport (SFO) when I was on my way back to New York. Transit time is about 6 hours, which is from midnight to 6 AM.

Entry point - San Francisco Airport — Entry point – San Francisco Airport

Immigration checks took me about 45 minutes, from the moment I line up until I take back my luggage. The process is pretty much streamlined so you don’t have to worry much about that. Just remember to declare any sensitive item that you might have (such as food and plants).

Restroom - San Francisco Airport — Restroom – San Francisco Airport

A room for travelers to rest. Very clean and comfortable. Somewhat I think this is better than JFK restrooms.

Outside terminal - San Francisco Airport — Outside terminal – San Francisco Airport

Six hours in deserted airport was too long for me. So I went to the city (about 30 miles away) and spend the whole night there.

Airport Authority Hong Kong sets Record Profit

Hong Kong International Airport (Terminal 1) Internal view 2012-08-26

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), a statutory body in charge of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) earned USD 725 million in profit for fiscal year ending March 31st 2013, according to a BERNAMA news article, citing China’s Xinhua News Agency as the source.

In terms of revenue, the increase is stands high at 8.1%. Passenger throughput, flight and cargo movements have also increased compared to the previous year. The revenue increase is said to be mostly contributed by the increased spending at retail concessions located throughout the airport.

Hong Kong International Airport provides comfortable seating areas as well as vast array of food choices available, catering different dietary needs and preferences. Besides, its toilets are also serviced frequently. Like Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), HKIA also provides free Wi-Fi at most areas.

New Tablet App by SITA Halves Mishandled Malaysia Airlines Bag Claim Time

Malaysia Airlines Logo

Malaysia Airlines has been known for iPad usage in some of its services quite some time ago. Another milestone is achieved when it uses SITA iPad tablet app technology to improve the handling time for mishandled bag claims by the customers.

The traditional process involves filling up forms on desktop terminals, which can be cumbersome for less tech-savvy customers.

The whole process takes around five minutes, half the time customers normally spend finding the right counter and filling in forms on desktop terminals

– Datuk Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, Malaysia Airlines Director of Customer Services Division

Named “WorldTracer”, the SITA app can be used by airline agents to check the status of missing bag, file report for missing or lost bag and even print receipts for the customers.

The program is still in pilot phase and it will continue for six month.

Source: BERNAMA news article

Passenger Service Charge (PSC) in Malaysian Airports

Malaysia Airports Logo

Passenger Service Charge is a fee charged to passengers departing from the respective airport.

The fees are collected by airlines during ticket purchase. However, it will only be handed over to the airport authority, Malaysian Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) upon completion of the flight. Therefore, for passengers who bought the ticket and not able to complete their flight is eligible for full refund.

The detailed charge table is displayed as below:

Departing	To	PSC
Rural Airports	To All Destinations	RM0
KLIA – Main Terminal Building & Regional Airports**	All international destinations	RM65
KLIA – Main Terminal Building & Other Airports	All domestic destinations	RM9
LCCT-KLIA & T2 Kota Kinabalu	All international destinations	RM32
LCCT-KLIA	All domestic destinations	RM6
Secondary Airports : Alor Setar, Bintulu, Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, Kuantan, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Limbang, Melaka, Miri, Mulu, Pangkor, Redang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tawau & Tioman (Effective 1.12.2010)	All direct ASEAN destinations	RM26
Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, and Miri	BIMP-EAGA destinations: Brunei, Balik Papan, Manado, Santos, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga	RM26
Penang, Langkawi, Alor Setar, Kota Bharu and Ipoh	IMT-GT destinations: Medan, Banda Aceh, Padang, Nias, Hat Yai, Narathiwat, Trang, Nikhon Thammarat & Patani	RM2

Source: Malaysian Airports website