The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said today AirAsia's concerns about KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) are legitimate, despite the budget airline drawing flak from the government over this.

PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed (right) made the remarks after the committee's three-and-a-half-hour meeting today, during which three top officials from AirAsia, including group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes, testified on the matter.

"They showed us documentary and visual evidence... I mean as the biggest customer of KLIA2, why would they be complaining if their complaints do not have merit?

"I don't feel they are just trying to make it difficult for the government or MAHB (Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad) but they have legitimate concerns about their operations when they move to KLIA2," Nur Jazlan told a press conference at Parliament House this afternoon.

Among others who testified were AirAsia executive chairperson Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Aireen Omar and KLIA Premier Holdings Sdn Bhd (Kliacs) chairperson Jamilus Hussein, whose company was the project’s initial consultant before being dumped.

“Jamilus explained that because of the way the ground (at KLIA2) was treated when the construction was done, it is possible there will be more depressions over time until the ground settles fully.

“We don’t know how long it will take, it could be a few months, one year or even two years,” Nur Jazlan said.

He said PAC heard that remedial works would be done to fix the problem, but since the depression, which leads to water accumulating, happens at the aprons where aircraft are parked, there may be difficulties, including for passengers disembarking.

'AirAsia expects hiccups at KLIA2'

He added that AirAsia had confided that it expects “hiccups” after moving to KLIA2.

The hearing today was specifically on the cost overrun of the KLIA2 project which ballooned from RM2 billion to RM4 billion, but other related concerns were also raised.

Nur Jazlan noted that AirAsia had denied several accusations made against the airline by MAHB for the cost overrun at KLIA2, including wanting aprons (aircraft parking bays) that can fit an Airbus A380, a museum, spa and a fully automated baggage system.

“There are many contradictions between the statements of MAHB and AirAsia but since this project is by MAHB, we are also looking at MAHB’s role,” he said, adding that MAHB may be recalled to explain AirAsia’s assertions.

However, Nur Jazlan said, the PAC investigation is to learn from mistakes and he was not out to be a referee between the two.

On another matter, Nur Jazlan said the PAC also heard from AirAsia that certain board members on MAHB were also part of the regulatory body, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

“The government can consider making the aviation industry more independent and among the proposals is one for an aviation commission, which can hear inputs before the government makes a decision on national aviation policy,” he said.

The proceeding today is the third hearing after PAC heard from the Transport Ministry on Jan 16 and MAHB on April 1.

‘AirAsia yet to see ICAO safety report’

Nur Jazlan said the PAC report on the matter will “take time” but it will be tabled to Parliament for the public to make their own judgment.

Meanwhile, Fernandes (right), after testifying before the PAC, said he was happy that AirAsia was for the first time being given a proper avenue to explain its side of the story.

“We came up with eight issues on what we were led to believe AirAsia was blamed for the increase in cost and delay (at KLIA2).

“I think we got a good feedback from the PAC,” he said.

On the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) being roped in by the government to look at AirAsia’s safety concerns for KLIA2, Fernandes said AirAsia has yet to see its report.

AirAsia is expected to move to KLIA2 on May 9.