KUCHING, Oct 27: Most airfares have come down with all local scheduled airlines having also planned extra flights as the aviation industry gears up for the 15th General Election (GE15) travelling period, according to Malaysia Aviation Commission (Mavcom)
Following its review, Mavcom said the latest observation on Oct 25 indicates that one-way domestic airfares across all airlines are priced at RM185 for routes within Peninsular Malaysia, RM188 for routes within East Malaysia, and RM296 for routes between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim welcomed the airlines’ move to introduce promotions and launch discounted airfares to facilitate the cause.
“There are also existing discount schemes offered by airlines specifically for student travellers which could aid travel for young voters.
“As evident, the industry has shown its support to facilitate voters fulfilling their civic duty and returning to their respective hometowns without the burden of high airfares,” he said in a statement today.
However, Saripuddin emphasised that more can be done and airlines must continue to play their part for the nation during this critical period as analysis also indicates that a small percentage of routes have airfares that are higher than average.
Therefore, the Commission urged airlines to induce more capacity on these routes during the GE15 travelling period as demand for these routes will most likely increase approaching the polling date.
“Moreover, Mavcom has requested that airlines increase capacity on its operating routes during the GE15 travelling dates in ensuring that enough flights are available to various domestic destinations at an affordable price.
“As the economic and commercial regulator for the aviation industry, Mavcom is committed to facilitating and approving all route applications for GE15 in performing its mandate for the national interest,” he added.
On extra flights for GE15 beginning November, Saripuddin revealed that there are five flights from KL International Airport (KLIA) to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia.
“For flights from Subang, 30 additional flights are planned to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia and 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
“Furthermore, Malaysia Airlines is planning to increase capacity to key destinations in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia by utilising the Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft,” he said.
In addition, there are additional flights planned for selected destinations within East Malaysia under the Rural Air Services programme, as well as five planned additional flights between Subang and Seletar, Singapore.
Saripuddin also gave assurance that Mavcom is closely monitoring the developments to ensure that enough seats are available at affordable prices to meet the demand.
He also explained that airfares are currently not regulated and are determined by airlines in line with the Malaysian government’s decision in 2006 to rationalise the domestic air services sector.
With voting during general elections an important civic responsibility that must be upheld, Saripuddin called on airlines to take on a bigger role in keeping prices affordable and to aid their fellow Malaysians to fulfill their civic duty that impacts the future of the nation. — DayakDaily
