New Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) Not So Low-Cost

Check this news:

"... speculation is rife that the cost of KLIA2 (the new LCCT) has increased significantly from the initial estimates of between RM2 billion and RM2.5 billion... to more than RM4 billion..."

The first LCCT costs about 300 million.

"(However MAHB official asserts that) even if there was an increase in expenditure in constructing the KLIA2, it would not affect the passengers nor the airlines... "

The Edge Malaysia Daily (TEM) disagrees, saying that "a costlier airport would mean MAHB has to increase its charges — including airline parking and landing fees and airport taxes — to recoup its investment."

In which MAHB brushes aside as unfounded concerns: "aeronautical charges (are) already set in stone (regulated) (but/and) subject to review every 5 years."

As recent as Nov 15, 2011, passenger service charges (PSCs) a.k.a. airport tax passengers need to pay had been increased from RM25 to RM32 at LCCT KLIA and Terminal 2 Kota Kinabalu; and from RM51 to RM65 in other airports. Okay, I should add after 9 years of 'nagging' to increase PSC rates (by MAHB to the government). [Source] AirAsia & MAS were not keen to collect PSC on MAHB's behalf...

Also, "Landing and parking charges will rise in three stages over three years — landing charges will be 9% while parking charges will be increased by 18% per year."

On Sep 21, 2011, RM10 fee for conventional counter check-in was imposed by AirAsia. However, passengers have the alternative of web check-in, mobile check-in or kiosk check-in which are free of charge. [Source]

My humble thought:

A) I somewhat agree with TEM, even though they say no passengers nor the airlines would be affected, but in the not-so-far future, who might know?
B) If AirAsia & MAS go ahead with their "not to collect PSC on MAHB behalf". I see:

1. MAHB would have to open PSC counter themselves;
2. Passengers would have to pay PSC themselves. [Pro: No need to pay if cancel flight, no need to wait for weeks for PSC refund. Cons: Waste time to queue, might get lost as well. :D Ugh, they would setup kiosk &/@ web/mobile pay you say?]

KY Chua travels with AirAsia (rarely) but doesn't mind to pay the PSC if the process is simple, simpler & simplified (not to mention, not so expensive, cheap, cheaper or cheapest). Heck, he doesn't even mind to pay for the RM7 hike in airport tax (and the RM10 conventional counter check-in fee) as long as the service is good. But then, he's not that "berwang". So, he would settled for low cost of everything. :D

Interesting articles from YB Wee Choo Keong's blog: MOT: Airlines must refund Airport Tax to no-show passenger.