KUCHING, April 15: The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and domestic airlines will conduct a detailed and thorough investigation on the issue of increase in airfares in light of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Federal Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said this came following public complaints on the price increase of ticket flights from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak.
He explained that based on Mavcom’s monitoring of the situation, airfares on April 30, 2022 (the peak travel date for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season) have increased compared to the average airfares in 2019.
This increase, he said, is due to the increased operating costs, mainly rising jet fuel prices, as well as limited resources for airlines to increase full capacity flights.
He also mentioned that airlines were having trouble adding flight capacity immediately as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Aircrafts must go through a process of maintenance, repair and overhaul or MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) before the aircraft is approved for safe service. Airlines had to keep their planes as the State enforced movement restrictions.
“Once the country enters a phase of transition to endemic and demand increases from consumers, airlines will need more time and replacement tools for re-operational readiness,” he said in a statement today.
Wee further said the ministry is committed and will make every effort to reduce airfares to alleviate the burden borne by the people.
“Mavcom, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) are ready to consider and approve airlines’ applications to increase flight frequencies, operate air traffic control services as well as extend airport operating hours during this and upcoming festive season.
“CAAM has already approved the necessary extension of the operating hours of air traffic control services at airports. This will assist airlines in planning capacity additions especially ahead of the festive season,” he added. – DayakDaily
