KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2021 – The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) today released its fourth quarterly Air Traffic Rights (ATR) report. The report details the Commission’s ATR allocations for the Malaysian civil aviation sector for the period of 1 October to 31 December 2020. 

The final quarter of 2020 saw the Commission approving 93 per cent of the 43 ATR applications received from airlines. A total of 14 ATRs were approved for international destinations while the  remaining 26 were for domestic routes. The ATR application rate increased by 233 per cent as compared with the 12 ATR applications received in the previous quarter due to increased applications  for scheduled air cargo services and new domestic routings. 

Of the 40 ATR approvals for Q42020, 26 ATR allocations were for domestic destinations, 14 for  international destinations, four for destinations in China, two for destinations in Europe, two destinations  in India and the remaining six for other Asian destinations. 

In terms of allocations by airports, 17 ATRs were issued for flights originating from KL International Airport (KUL), six from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), five from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and 12 from other Malaysian airports. 

In terms of the breakdown by airlines, Malaysia Airlines Berhad received the highest number of  approvals totalling 11 ATRs, while AirAsia Group received the second highest number of approvals of  10 ATRs. MyJet Xpress Airlines Sdn. Bhd., Raya Airways Sdn. Bhd. and Fly Firefly Sdn. Bhd. followed  with nine, six and four ATR allocations, respectively. 

MAVCOM’s Executive Chairman, Datuk Seri Hj. Saripuddin Hj. Kasim said, “While the path to recovery  for the aviation sector will be a long one, we are already seeing pockets of growth in the cargo segment.  The Commission observes that the cargo segment has been growing in tandem with logistics needs  and we are seeing the local players adapting to this new need.” 

“As the economic regulator for the civil aviation industry, the Commission recognises the difficulties  faced by airlines resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and is conscious of the need to  facilitate airlines as they endeavour to resume full services. Hence, effective 4 June 2020, MAVCOM had temporarily relaxed a condition of the ATR which automatically revokes unutilised ATRs within six  months from the date of the ATR approval. This is to alleviate the administrative challenges faced by  airlines and allow scheduled airlines to keep their current ATR portfolio active. As a result, no ATRs  have expired between 1 October to 31 December 2020 and we will continue to work towards reviving  the aviation sector.”

The Air Traffic Rights Report is released on a regular basis and more information can be found on MAVCOM’s website at www.mavcom.my.