KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has taken steps to reclaim its delegated airspace from Singapore, beginning in stages by end of next year and expected to be completed by 2023, revealed the Transport Ministry.
Its Minister Anthony Anthony Loke Siew Fook said that on Nov 29, the Malaysian government has informed Singapore of the former's intent to reclaim the delegated airspace in stages, firstly at end of 2019 and the later stage in 2023.
He said that the airspace was delegated to Singapore in 1974 for the island state to manage airspace traffic per the Operational Letter of Agreement Between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore Area Control Centres Concerning Singapore Arrivals, Departures and Overflight (LOA 1974).
"The plan to take back Malaysia's delegated airspace at southern Johor needs to be done in stages to standardise the air traffic control service guideline between air navigation services provider of both countries. This will ensure the safe, efficient and proper movement of airlines.
"The Malaysian government will discuss in detail with Singapore over the plan to take back the delegated airspace in southern Malaysia and if needed, (this matter) would be referred to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Loke was replying to a question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-PKR-Pasir Gudang) over the government's step to reclaim its delegated from Singapore.
Malaysia's move to reclaim the delegated airspace in stages came on the heels of dispute between it and Singapore over Seletar Airport, where Malaysia barred its budget airline operator Firefly from relocating from Singapore's Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
