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THE authorities at Senai Airport in Johor, Malaysia, have proposed a tax be imposed on local air cargo that is diverted and sent through Singapore's Changi Airport, The New Straits Times reported.
The airport is being developed into a major regional air cargo hub and Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS), in its recommendation to the Malaysian transport ministry, said a levy was "imperative if the airport in Johor is to realise its potential as a full-fledged regional air cargo centre".
The exact volume of Malaysian cargo through Changi airport is not known, but the amount is believed to be substantial.
Many manufacturers and exporters still prefer to ship their cargo across to Singapore by land for eventual delivery to customers abroad through Changi Airport.
A senior government official was quoted in the report saying that SATS was also in talks with the transport ministry for an "open sky" policy for all air passenger and cargo flights into Senai.
Today, only Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier AirAsia fly into Senai, but SATS wants the rights to negotiate directly with foreign airlines to operate regular scheduled services or special chartered flights into the Malaysian facility.
It was also stated in the report that SATS was also keen to build a low-cost carrier terminal to cater to the increasing demand for budget airlines to serve this region, and has invested MYR10 million (US$2.79 million) so far to upgrade ground support equipment and handling facilities.
Another MYR150 million had also been spent on a new cargo complex, cargo agent office complex and a covered car park, the report said.
It was pointed out in the article that the cargo complex can handle up to 80,000 tonnes annually since it began operations in August, 2004.
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