By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 18: Those who want to ‘balik kampung’ for Hari Raya Aidilfitri can now heave a sigh of relief as the authorities have decreased the rate of flight tickets to Sabah and Sarawak.
Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin informed that the Federal Minister of Transport (MOT) Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong issued a statement earlier today announcing that the one-way economy class flight ticket prices to most destinations from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak have shown a significant decrease for the festive season from April 27 to May 8 this year.
This came following the proactive actions of the MOT together with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and domestic airlines, as well as the approval of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to solve public complaints on the rise of airfare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Based on MAVCOM’s observation on April 16, the one-way economy class airfare from April 27 to May 8 (observation period) was between RM105 to RM1,398.
Meanwhile, for the peak period from April 29 to May 1, the one-way fare is between RM195 to RM1,398.
Of the fare price range, most airline ticket prices available for purchase for all one-way economic routes to Sabah and Sarawak during the monitored period were only between RM300 to RM500.
“Therefore, please make an early ticket reservation. Don’t wait (until) the last minute.
“It is better for you to book flight tickets early through the website (of the airlines) because the ticketing system is based on dynamic pricing. The lowest price is adjusted based on real-time supply and demand,” Kim Shin told reporters at a dinner with the media at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) earlier tonight.
He also mentioned that despite the good outcome in resolving public grievances on the prices of airline tickets, his ministry would continue to monitor the situation and the ticket price sales. — DayakDaily
