KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 29): The ongoing negotiation between Putrajaya and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd for a review of the operating agreement (OA) may result in the creation of five airport zones, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the new OA has yet to be finalised and hopes to announce the details in early 2019.

“There are actually two OAs now. One is meant for the KLIA terminal, meaning KLIA and klia2. The other OA is meant for other airports,” he said in his committee stage winding up speech for the Budget 2019 Supply Bill.

“What we are looking at now is to finalise a new OA in December, which will have five zones, namely KLIA terminals, airports in northern peninsula, Sabah, Sarawak, and other airports,” he said.

“Through this structure, we hope to give room to MAHB to find fresh funds through joint ventures with new stakeholders to develop the airports.

“This is because the current model, where the government bears most of the responsibilities in developing the airport, is not sustainable,” he added.

Loke also said the government’s airport real estate investment trust (REIT) proposal, aimed at raising RM4 billion by selling a 30% stake in the REIT, could help resolve many upgrading issues at the airports.