All airlines ordered to improve handling of flight delays, cancellations
Published on: Thursday, September 05, 2024
By:
FMT, Elill Easwaran
The transport ministry said airlines must improve their communication of delays and cancellations to passengers, and ensure that adequate compensation and care are provided. (Bernama pic)
PUTRAJAYA: The transport ministry has issued a directive to all airlines to enhance their management of flight delays and cancellations.
The ministry said airlines must improve their communication of delays and cancellations to passengers, while ensuring that adequate compensation and care are provided to affected customers.
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It said this must be in line with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 and its latest amendments, which came into effect on Sept 1.
“The government views flight delays and cancellations very seriously. Therefore, all airlines have been instructed to strengthen their management of these issues to minimise disruptions to passengers,”the ministry said in a statement today.
It said this was part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure a more reliable and passenger-friendly aviation sector in Malaysia.
Following the National Aviation Consultative Council’s meeting here today, the ministry emphasised that all industry players must strictly adhere to international standards, such as those laid out in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s guidelines.
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“The transport ministry has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to intensify its monitoring and enforcement with regards to safety aspects in the aviation sector, and to conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with international standards.
“The safety and well-being of passengers must take precedence over operational and profit concerns,”it said.
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Meanwhile, transport minister Loke Siew Fook said Malaysia is fully committed to the global goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Launching the Malaysian Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint here today, Loke said this blueprint was designed to ensure the sector contributed positively to the green economy while meeting international sustainability targets.
The blueprint outlines ambitious targets, including reducing emissions by up to 18% through aircraft technology improvements, 5% through operational efficiencies, 46% via sustainable aviation fuel, and 30% through market-based measures like carbon offsets.
Loke said collaborations across the industry are crucial to achieve this.
“We need a whole-of-nation approach to make this blueprint a reality,”he said, urging all stakeholders to align their decarbonisation strategies with national and international commitments.
The blueprint also highlights key action areas such as enhancing airline operations, improving air traffic management, and adopting greener practices at airports.
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