Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) President Ajit Johl said, in the event of an increase, airline users would end up paying the extra fees and charges.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai announced yesterday that the proposed increase in aviation fees and service charges would be implemented on April 15.

He said however that airfares should not be increased when the new fees were implemented.

Ajit said the minister was wrong to think that fares would not go up as airlines would not absorb the new charges but would simply pass them on to users.

“We agree that there has to be a review in fees, but it should be done in consultation with all stakeholders, including users who are the largest of all stakeholders. The Transport Minister says the DCA is increasing the tariff because it needs to meet international requirements, while the DCA says it’s raising fees because it has not done so for the past 30 years.

“We have some of the world’s best low cost airlines operating from the country and they are bringing in millions of tourists,” he told FMT.

Ajit said the DCA should instead focus on how Rayani Air was given the license to operate in the first place.

“We are demanding a full disclosure from DCA, as lives are at stake. Where were the safety checks and audits?” he asked.

Rayani Air, hit by funding problems, which eventually led to operational issues, was suspended on Monday for three months by the DCA.

Meanwhile, Alex Lee, a tour operator at Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours, said the potential hike in airfares could be good for the local tourism industry as Malaysians would travel more domestically.

“In terms of foreign tourists, the effect might not be so bad because of their currencies. It really depends on how the airlines decide to play with their rates,” he said.