LETTERS: I support the privatisation of airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
This decision comes as Malaysia needs to enhance its airport infrastructure and national carrier services with the help of foreign expertise.
So far, much of the focus has been on the main terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), but we should also not neglect Terminal 2 (klia2), which is for low-cost carriers.
Significant improvements are imperative for KLIA, as many of its amenities date back to the 1990s.
Infrastructure such as the aerotrains are in dire need of replacement after 23 years of service. Malaysia's public transport and facilities suffer from a lack of maintenance, contributing to this decline.
We must also prioritise the security and passenger-centric nature of airports, taking inspiration from Singapore's Changi Airport which is renowned for its spaciousness and amenities.
Consider AirAsia, a source of national pride for winning the World's Best Low-Cost Airline award for 14 consecutive years.
We should invest more in upgrading Terminal 2, positioning Malaysia as a preferred transfer hub and ensuring infrastructure is in place, akin to the transformative efforts seen in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with their national carriers and airports.
From a casual observation, Terminal 2's layout is disorganised, with insufficient seating and amenities.
Additional seating areas and shower facilities for passengers with long layovers are essential to enhance comfort.
AirAsia's passengers are travellers from Southeast Asia and the West, making Terminal 2 an international transit hub. It is vital for Terminal 2 to feel welcoming, akin to Doha International Airport.
Maintaining competitive pricing for airlines is crucial to retain Malaysia's connectivity to other countries. Lufthansa's reduction of connectivity in Asia, including Malaysia, serves as a cautionary tale.
Unable to compete with Middle Eastern carriers offering cheaper fares, Lufthansa ceased flights to Malaysia and is focusing on direct flights from Germany to Singapore and Bangkok, instead.
On the other hand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand recently announced a three-stage plan to become the region's aviation hub. It aims to increase air traveller capacity to 270 million people a year by 2037 and become one of the top five countries in air logistics in the Asia-Pacific.
Given these developments, Malaysia risks losing its position in global aviation if it fails to upgrade its airports. Therefore, the privatisation is a good start toward upgrading our airports and services.
GANESH KUMARAN
Klang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times