Batik Air, a prominent Malaysian carrier, publicly endorsed the ongoing expansion efforts at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, commonly known as Subang Airport, while calling for a swift allocation of additional flight slots. This move comes in the wake of AirAsia’s announcement that it will relocate its jet operations from Subang to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (klia2) starting April 7, 2025, leaving behind four slot pairs at the city airport. Batik Air’s support aligns with the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP), a government-backed initiative aimed at transforming the airport into a premier regional aviation hub by 2030, with a target passenger capacity of eight million annually. The airline’s leadership sees this as an opportunity to strengthen its presence and enhance connectivity, capitalizing on the vacuum left by AirAsia’s departure.
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Batik Air’s chief executive officer, Chandran Rama Muthy, emphasized the airline’s commitment to the transformation of Subang Airport, highlighting its potential as a modern city airport. He noted that an expanded presence would offer travelers greater choice and convenience, positioning Malaysia as a key aviation hub in the region. The airline, which resumed jet operations at Subang in August 2024 after a 26-year hiatus, plans to increase flight frequencies and introduce new routes in the coming months. This follows its earlier relaunch of services to Penang, a route that has since expanded from three weekly flights to daily operations. Batik Air’s fleet, including Boeing 737 aircraft with dual-class cabins, offers a unique selling point at Subang as the only carrier providing Business Class options, blending comfort with competitive pricing.
The call for faster slot allocation was directed at airline regulators, including the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the Malaysian Aviation Commission, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd. Chandran urged these bodies to expedite the process, arguing that it would enable Batik Air to enhance connectivity and roll out new services more efficiently. With AirAsia’s exit, the vacated slots present an immediate opportunity for Batik Air and other carriers like Firefly, Transnusa, and Scoot, which currently operate jets from Subang. The airport’s strategic location near Kuala Lumpur’s city center has already proven attractive, evidenced by a 25% rise in international passenger traffic in August 2024, reaching over 21,000 passengers.
AirAsia’s decision to shift operations to klia2 was driven by rising passenger demand, particularly on routes to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, which saw a 16% year-on-year increase. The low-cost carrier cited the need for better infrastructure to support growth, noting that Subang’s redevelopment, while promising, would take time. This departure has sparked debate about the viability of Subang’s expansion, with some analysts questioning the sustainability of jet operations given the competitive and price-sensitive domestic market. Nevertheless, Batik Air remains optimistic, viewing Subang as a complementary hub to klia2, capable of easing peak-season congestion at the larger airport. As the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan progresses, Batik Air’s proactive stance could shape the airport’s future, reinforcing its role as a vital link for regional travel and tourism.