In a statement, the transport ministry said the discussions on Nov 30 had only reviewed the discussions that took place the day before, particularly on the Operational Letter of Agreement 1974 and Malaysia’s decision to take back its sovereign airspace delegated to Singapore for the provision of air traffic services and the new ILS procedures for the airport.

“The ministry wishes to reiterate that at no time did the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) agree or give its approval for the publication of the new ILS procedures for Seletar Airport,” it said.

It added that Singapore’s “unilateral move” to publish the new ILS procedures in the Aeronautical Information Publication Singapore was a “clear violation of Malaysian sovereignty and international law and standards”.

However, it said the ensuing tension could be avoided by implementing new ILS procedures for Runway 03 on the southern side of the airport as opposed to Runway 21 on the northern side.

It thanked the CAAS for its commitment to developing instrument flight procedures for Runway 03 within Singapore airspace.

“The ministry is fully convinced that with some creativity, the new ILS procedures for Runway 03 on the southern side of Seletar Airport, guaranteed by CAAS during the meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia on Nov 29, will not impose any additional impact on other airspace users or businesses and residents in Singapore,” it said.