Malaysian Airport Tax Expanded To Include Transfer Passengers

The Malaysian Aviation Comission (Mavcom) has announced that they will start charging passengers a passenger service charge (PSC) for passengers transferring flights, and they will charge RM7 for domestic flights and up to RM42 for international flights from June 1.

In a statement released yesterday, Mavcom stated that the PSC will be levied upon passengers who are transferring flights at Malaysian airports.

Transfer PSC only applies for tickets bought after 1st June

However, one important thing to note is that the PSC will only take effect on flights bought after the 1st of June 2024. This means that flight tickets bought before the date will not be charged with PSC, even if the flight takes place after the 1st of June 2024.

Domestic travellers transferring flights at most Malaysian airports will be charged RM7. Only domestic travellers transferring flights at Senai Airport will be charged a bit more at RM10.

Meanwhile, international travellers will be charged with a RM42 PSC if their flight transfer is at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1, and RM29 if the flight transfer is at KLIA2.

PSC is not new, now expanded to include transfers

Although most travellers might not be aware of it, PSC (previously known as airport tax) is not really something new, and Mavcom has been charging travelers for PSC for a while know. It is what is commonly referred to as the airport tax.

The normal PSC for domestic travellers are maintained at RM11 for most airports except Senai airport, who raised their PSC to RM16.

Meanwhile, PSC for ASEAN bound travellers are set at RM50, while international (non-ASEAN) travellers are charged with a RM73 PSC.

Implementation of transfer PSC in line with global practices

In a statement, Mavcom stated that the current revisions to PSC was made so that airport operators can continue running their business in a sustainable way.

“This revision is needed to support the aviation industry’s recovery and adaptation to the post-COVID-19 environment. 

“The revision aligns with global best practices and changing market conditions to safeguard consumer welfare, facilitate a sustainable and resilient recovery, and ensure the sector’s financial stability,” said Mavcom.