KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Batik Air has thrown support behind the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP), urging airline regulators to expedite the allocation for additional slots at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, following AirAsia’s plans to relocate its jet operations to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (klia2).

AirAsia will relocate to klia2 from April 7, 2025, vacating its four slot pairs at Subang Airport.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, the airline said it stands fully behind the transformation of Subang Airport, also known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, or Subang SkyPark, into a premier regional hub, and is ready to play a pivotal role in its success.

Batik Air plans to increase flight frequencies and introduce more routes in the coming months.

“Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport holds immense potential as a modern city airport, and Batik Air is fully committed to its transformation. Our expanded presence will offer travellers greater choice and convenience, while reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a key aviation hub in the region,” Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said in the statement.

He asked airline regulators — the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the Malaysian Aviation Commission and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd ((MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) — to consider expediting the allocation of additional flight slots at Subang Airport.

“Facilitating this process would allow us to enhance connectivity, introduce more services efficiently, and contribute to Subang Airport’s continued development,” he added.

AirAsia in its statement last week said the decision to move from Subang to klia2 was made to improve efficiency and customer experience, with growing demand. It said while Subang was convenient, its redevelopment will take time to support future growth.

Independent aviation consultant Brendan Sobie in a LinkedIn post questioned the viability of the Subang Airport's expansion plans after AirAsia’s announcement.

He said its decision highlights the challenges of Malaysia’s domestic market, which can be very competitive and price sensitive.

It also highlights the flaws in the policy behind Subang Airport's jet reopening, which is part of the SARP, which seeks to grow annual passenger capacity to eight million by 2030.

Sobie argued that the market is highly competitive and price-sensitive, with yields on some routes even lower than pre-Covid levels.

He believes the policy behind Subang Airport's jet reopening is flawed and suggested a reversal of the expansion.

Sobie predicted that Batik Air would be open to take over AirAsia’s slots.

Subang Airport resumed jet operations after a 26-year hiatus in August 2024. Other airlines operating jets out of Subang include FireFly, Transnusa, and Scoot.