Malaysia will begin to introduce passenger security charges on Jan. 15 next year, the Malaysian airport management authorities said here Thursday.

 

The security charges, 3 ringgit for domestic destinations (US$0.83) and 6 ringgit (US$1.67) for international destinations, will be charged at all airports operated by Malaysia Airports for all tickets issued on and after Jan. 15 next year, Malaysia Airports said.

 

"The passenger security charge will be collected together as part of the cost of ticket, similar to the current passenger service charge collection procedure," Malaysia Airports said in a press release.

 

"Passengers who have bought the tickets before Jan. 15, 2007 for travel on or after Jan. 15, 2007 are not required to pay the security charge," it said.

 

Many airports around the world began to levy the security charge immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, but Malaysia Airports did not levy the charge as it absorbed the additional cost of these enhanced security measures, the Malaysian airport operator said.

 

Malaysia Airports currently manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia, including five international airports.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2006)