The airspace arrangements in South Johor have "worked well", many changes will affect many:

SINGAPORE: Current airspace agreements south of Johor have benefited both Singapore and Malaysia, and any changes will impact many stakeholders, said Singapore Transport Ministry (MOT). ) in a statement released Tuesday (4 December).

The statement was made in response to remarks by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who told Parliament Tuesday that Malaysia wanted to recover its "delegated airspace" in southern Johor.

In its statement, MOT underlined that, under the current airspace arrangements, the provision of air traffic services in the airspace south of Johor was delegated to Singapore and that this airspace was one of the "most complex in the world".

"Air traffic growth is one of the fastest in the world and the benefits to our economies and people have been enormous," MOT said. "The current airspace provisions are working well and have facilitated this growth.

"As a result, any proposed changes will have an impact on many stakeholders, so consultations will be needed to minimize the impact on airlines and passengers."

READ: Malaysia wants to "recover its delegated airspace" in southern Johor

The current airspace provisions were approved in 1973 by Malaysia, Singapore and other States in the region and approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ), announced the ministry. A bilateral agreement was subsequently signed between Malaysia and Singapore in 1974.

LANDING PROCEDURES IN SELETAR IN USE "FOR DECADES": MOT

MOT stated that he had noted that Mr. Loke had made "several comments" regarding the publication of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures for Seletar Airport, but that the In 2014, the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority informed the Malaysian Ministry of Transport of the transfer of turboprop operations. at Seletar airport.

The ILS procedure refers to an aeronautical assisted navigation facility at the airport that provides vertical and horizontal guidance to pilots during the descent flight and approaching the runway.

Last December, ILS proceedings were reported to the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority, the MOT said, adding that "despite repeated reminders," the Malaysian authorities had not "provided him with any response. "until the end of November this year.

On Tuesday, Loke said Malaysia had notified Singapore on November 28 and 29 of its opposition to the publication of the ILS, citing the impact on developments and shipping operations in Pasir Gudang. , and that Singapore had always published it on December 1st.

READ: Firefly fails to obtain permission from a Malaysian regulator to operate at Seletar Airport, says CAAS

In its statement, MOT stated that the ILS procedures were designed to align with existing flight profiles to Seletar airport, "used for decades", as well as existing structures in Pasir Gudang.

"The procedures therefore do not impose any additional impact on other users of the airspace, as well as businesses and residents of Johor," MOT said.

There are also procedures and equipment to ensure that navigation in the Johor Strait will not be affected, the ministry said.

"In fact, ILS procedures will improve the security of all users and residents."

He said he took note of Malaysia's wish to provide air traffic services in the airspace and added that any proposal should ensure that air traffic safety and efficiency are not compromised while respecting the standards of the ICAO.

"Sovereignty is a fundamental principle of international law Singapore respects Malaysia's sovereignty At the same time, international law makes it clear that the management of cross-border airspace is not incompatible with sovereignty" said the ministry.

"Singapore and Malaysia are close neighbors who have a long history of cooperation and friendly competition," he said. "We must work together to address our common challenges and find constructive ways to resolve our differences when interests diverge.

"With goodwill, a win-win result is possible and we will tackle this recent development in the same spirit."

SELETAR AIRPORT HAS BEEN AROUND "FOR DECADES": KHAW

Noting that Seletar Airport was not a new airport, Singapore's Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, said the ILS procedures were consistent with the current flight profile, and that their publication matched simply a hard copy of the current situation.

"Seletar has been around for many years, for decades," the minister told reporters on Tuesday.

"The flight path has existed for decades and decades, and the new procedures are not new, they simply reflect the current situation (on paper)."

It actually improves safety, the minister said, adding that safety rules were clearer and more transparent.

"So we are not introducing new flight paths, new flight models with this Seletar airport."

READ: Malaysia's desire to reclaim airspace "is not a simple decision": Khaw Boon Wan

He referred to Malaysia's decision to "resume the airspace", while stating that it was not a simple decision to "change the status quo".

ICAO's procedures are "quite clear" that such changes must improve the status quo, Khaw said.

"If it does not improve the status quo, then what is the point of change?" He asked. "The criteria for improvement are safety and efficiency, does it make it safer, does it make it more effective, or why change?"