PUTRAJAYA: The airline fee and charges hike must be implemented on April 15 as announced by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) before an audit by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in May.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the audit would provide the international recognition needed for the department.

“We can’t delay this as we only have limited time before the ICAO conducts its audit and we must speed up our transformation,” he told reporters after presenting the ministry’s excellence awards earlier.

Liow said the hike was justifiable as it was in line with the department becoming a civil aviation authority.

“There are many reasons that contributed to the decision to increase the fees, but mainly it was to meet the demand of ICAO,” he added.

The new charges, including air navigation flight charge, airport landing and parking charges, air operator’s certificate and pilots’ licensing fees will be increased by tenfold come Friday.-nst