Immigration: LCCT clog-up AirAsia's fault

The bad congestion at the immigration gates involving about 1,000 passengers at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang yesterday was airline AirAsia's fault, the Immigration Department said.

Its director-general Aloyah Mamat said this occurred because AirAsia refused to move to the new terminal, the KLIA2, on May 2, like the other airlines, and intends to stay at LCCT until May 9.

As such, Aloyah (left) said, AirAsia passengers still travelling through the LCCT have to contend with fewer immigration counters because of staff shortage.

"A large portion of Immigration Department personnel have been deployed to KLIA2 and only a few international counters and four auto-gates for Malaysians are open at the LCCT.

"The Immigration Department cannot deploy many personnel at LCCT as all airlines, but AirAsia, have moved to KLIA2.

"AirAsia's refusal to move to KLIA2 (on May 2) is cause for the congestion," she said in a text message to Malaysiakini.

'Several meetings held with AirAsia'

Aloyah added that several meetings were held with AirAsia to persuade it to move to the new budget carrier terminal on May 2, but it still refused.

However, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) senior general manager (operations) Azmi Murad toldBernama that all 17 immigration counters and auto-gates at LCCT were open.

Azmi said the congestion could be due to the peak period at LCCT, between 3pm and 5pm, when many international flights arrive.

Checks by Bernama late last night showed that all was in order at LCCT.
Passengers arriving at the LCCT told Malaysiakini yesterday that they had to wait about one-and-a-half hours in a "chaotic" situation to clear the immigration check because only one or two counters were open.

They said there was shouting by irate passengers when a VIP and his family were given special treatment and ushered through the gates ahead of others who were drenched in sweat because of the poor air conditioning as well.

Passengers claim more counters were opened only after their yelling and booing.

According to AirAsia's website, May 2-9 is its "transition period" to move to KLIA2 and that all immigration, customs and other services at LCCT will run normally during this period.

Once it moves, AirAsia will have the largest number of flights going through KLIA2, which opened its doors last Saturday.



Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/261830