The government has reduced passenger service charges (PSC) for international flights to RM50 at all airports in Malaysia, except for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the new rate would be effective Oct 1.

In line with the new rates, which also applies to KLIA2, passengers who had paid RM73 PSC for flights from Oct 1 onwards, can claim a refund from their respective airlines.

The PSC rate for domestic and Asean flights at all airports has been maintained at RM11 and RM35 respectively.

Asked why the fee at KLIA was not reduced, Loke said this is because it was a "premium airport.”

“KLIA is a premium airport. There must be a difference between a premium airport and other airports. I think most people can agree that the level of infrastructure is different.

"I mean you can't compare KLIA with Langkawi's (airport) which doesn't even have an aerobridge," he told at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Going forward, he said the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) would create a framework, where PSC rates at all airports would depend on its infrastructure and facilities, as opposed to a unified rate.

Meanwhile, the minister also denied the new PSC rate was related to a dispute between local budget airline AirAsia and Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

“No, this has nothing to do with the MAHB-AirAsia dispute. They have to settle their own dispute, this announcement is not related to the dispute,” he added.

Loke said he hoped the new international PSC rate would encourage tourism for Visit Malaysia Year 2020 and attract more airlines to operate in the country.

He said the PSC rate reduction is made possible by balancing it with user fees.