PETALING JAYA: The aviation industry is seeing encouraging signs of recovery in the domestic market following an increase in Air Traffic Rights (ATR) applications for domestic routes, says the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

       For the fourth quarter of 2021 (Q4 2021), Mavcom said it approved 27 of the 28 ATR applications submitted by airlines.

       It said this represents an increase of 33.3% in applications and a 28.6% increase in approvals compared to the third quarter (Q3 2021).

       Of the 28 ATR applications, it said 17 applications were for domestic routes, which had more than doubled compared to the seven applications submitted in Q3 2021.

       It noted that the increase was due to the reopening of interstate borders in October last year and a rise in demand for domestic holiday-related travel, with the additional flights mainly to Langkawi, followed by Johor Baru, Penang and Kota Baru.

       “Despite the ongoing pandemic, we are seeing encouraging signs of recovery within the domestic segment as indicated by the increase in ATR applications for domestic routes in Q4 2021.

       “This promising development illustrates the sector’s resilience and its ability to bounce back post-pandemic.

       “We hope this trend will continue. Air travellers are highly encouraged to pre-plan their flights for festive periods in advance to avoid crowds and high ticket prices,” its executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said.

       Mavcom said 13 ATR applications from the air cargo segment were also received, noting that this signals continued and sustained growth.

       It added that the increase in ATR approvals was attributed to new cargo Air Service Licence holders namely World Cargo Airline Sdn Bhd and M Jets International Sdn Bhd, which received nine ATR in the fourth quarter.

       Mavcom said it expected the segment to grow between 3.9% and 6.7% year-on-year for this year that translates to between 20.8 and 21.6 billion in freight tonne kilometres.

       For the ATR allocations for Q4 2021, it said Malaysia Airlines Bhd and World Cargo Airline Sdn Bhd received the highest number of approvals with six ATR each.

       This was followed by AirAsia Bhd (five), M Jets International Sdn Bhd (three), while AirAsia X Bhd, FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd and Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd each had two ATR allocations.

       MyJet Express Airlines Sdn Bhd was given one ATR allocation.