CAAM To Offer Shorter Track Miles For Airlines Landing In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will provide direct routing to aircraft, whenever possible, and offer shorter track miles, which allows savings in flying time and fuel burn for aircraft flying into the country. Group chief executive officer Captain Chester Voo said this approach entailed a six-nautical mile (10.5km) shorter air route path for aircraft landing towards Kuala Lumpur International Airport, thus helping airlines cut their fuel cost in an effort to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We want to facilitate the shortest possible arrival (route). “As the (air traffic capacity used) is low at the moment, we will now tactically track-shorten the aircraft to allow them to come in on a direct track (with a) smoother, continuous descent. This will allow aircraft to further save time and fuel as well,” he told a virtual media briefing, Airline 101, organised by Malaysia Airlines and CAAM on Thursday. Voo said the total cost saving would very much depend on the type of aircraft based on their fuel consumption level. Commenting on the civil aviation industry recovery, he said it was expected to be back at full capacity in 2023 or 2024, depending on the pandemic situation. He urged civil aviation industry leaders to build confidence among all stakeholders, focusing on the people -- the ground staff, engineers, cabin crews, pilots and back-end staff, some of whom have not been working for a while. “We need to focus on their mental health and well-being. If we focus on the people and care for them, ensure that they are in good (physical) health and a good state of mental health, it will further enhance flight and aviation (industry) safety for all,” he explained. On other developments, Voo said CAAM was in the midst of finalising the corrective measures and would be ready by Sept 30 for the re-audit to restore the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1 status after being downgraded to Category 2 in November 2019. He said the measures would address all 33 issues raised in the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) findings of technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, and inspection procedures. Nevertheless, he said, the timeframe for the potential re-audit would be dependent on conditions of the border reopening, which was likely to be by year-end or next year, depending on the pandemic situation in Malaysia and the United States. CAAM is the civil aviation technical regulator in Malaysia with the primary function of regulating the safety and security of civil aviation. -- BERNAMA