Subang Airport: MAHB To Finalise Airline Carriers Taking Over Available Slots
From Karina Imran
PERTH, March 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is set to finalise the airline carriers - local or international carriers - taking over the available slots at Subang Airports (SZB) soon, following AirAsia’s move to consolidate its operations to KL International Airport (KLIA).
MAHB senior general manager, strategy, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin said airlines have been given a two-week window to submit their applications, and MAHB expects to finalise the slot allocations in the coming weeks.
“The decision will determine which airlines will operate from SZB and what new routes will be introduced,” he said at the Routes Asia 2025 event in Perth, Australia.
AirAsia’s decision to consolidate its operations from SZB into KLIA Terminal 2 (T2) has freed up five daily slots at Subang.
He said MAHB is confident there would be strong interest, particularly from international carriers, which could further strengthen SZB’s connectivity and enhance its role as a preferred gateway for regional travel.
Megat Ardian said MAHB is currently evaluating applications based on route demand and its potential impact on KLIA T1.
Discussions with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) are also ongoing to determine which routes can be approved, he said.
“Because KLIA and Subang Airport share the same airspace, KLIA is always given priority. As flight operations at KLIA expand and more slots are added to accommodate growth, this directly impacts Subang’s airspace capacity.
“As a result, KLIA remains the priority, and Subang’s flight slots are capped for now, preventing any further increase in operations at the airport,” he said, addressing the possibility of increasing slots at Subang Airport.
Megat Ardian said SZB’s future development would prioritise high-value aviation industries, especially in areas like maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, business jet operations, and aerospace-related businesses.
These sectors are in line with global industry trends and would support Malaysia’s broader aviation goals, he said.
He said that with Subang Airport’s recent expansion from a 1.5 million to 3 million passenger capacity, the airport is now focusing on jet operations, allowing up to 15 jet flights per day, one every hour.
On AirAsia, Megat Ardian said MAHB is working with the airline on two parts, namely its growth and routes.
“We're working with them on their growth over the next five years. Based on the aircraft deliveries coming in, I think they have A321s and some A330s.
“They're looking at routes together with us, which routes they will increase frequencies and which routes they will start new, in line with our growth plans,” he said.
-- BERNAMA