KLIA cheapest airport in Asia

KLIA cheapest airport in Asia

SINGAPORE: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has maintained its status as the cheapest in Asia, but Singapore's Changi Airport is narrowing the gap, rankings showed on Wednesday.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) ranked 11 airports in the region in June, comparing the charges for a Boeing 747-400 with a three-hour turnaround time.

KLIA emerged as the lowest at S$1,018 (US$580) followed by Singapore at S$2,524 and Jakarta at S$3,594.

Bangkok emerged in fourth place at S$4,086 in the rankings published in The Straits Times.

The most expensive was Tokyo's Narita Airport, which charged S$17,956.

Malaysia moved speedily last year to attract business to its new airport which opened in 1998. All landing and parking fees for new airlines flying into KLIA were waived for five years.

Changi, the third cheapest a year ago, received a S$210 million Air Hub Development Fund last November aimed at helping the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) offer competitive charges and some free landings. -- DPA