MAHB, AirAsia to collaborate on tagline to promote KLIA2, minister says

Liow also welcomed AirAsia’s proposal to make KLIA2 a low-cost carrier hub. — Reuters pic

SEPANG: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has called on Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia) to work together on a suitable tagline to promote the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) as low-cost carrier hub in Asia.

Welcoming AirAsia’s proposal to make KLIA2 a low-cost carrier hub, he said the government and MAHB were supportive of the initiative.

Therefore, he said the promotion, including website and promotional items need a bit of tweaking.

“I think if AirAsia use the term ‘low-cost carrier terminal’ or LCCT, particularly on boarding passes and the website, it will confuse passengers. They will go to the old LCCT.

“We will remind AirAsia to work with MAHB on the type of tagline suitable to promoting the KLIA2,” he told reporters after launching the iWalk walkalators at the KLIA2 here today.

Also present was the Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali and Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Director-General, Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar on Wednesday met Liow and Azharuddin. After the two-hour meeting, Liow said the name, KLIA2 remains, since it is registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Meanwhile, Badlisham said MAHB was willing to meet up AirAsia soon to clarify the matter.

“We are looking forward to working with AirAsia, especially on the wording. The term ‘KLIA2’ and ‘low-cost travelers’ should be used. The wording is important, so we don’t confuse passengers,” he added

Badlisham reiterated that KLIA2 would always be used to denote the terminal, home of the low-cost traveller. “That is what we are supportive of,” he said.

He said the change of name for the KLIA2 on boarding passes is also against the IATA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.

Source: Bernama | 1 July 2016