SEPANG: AirAsia has introduced fixed ticket prices for travellers heading to Sabah and Sarawak during the Chinese New Year festival period, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.
Loke said these fares are available for routes connecting Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, as well as between Johor Bahru and Kuching, Sibu, and Miri, with one-way tickets for these routes priced at RM298 each.
Additionally, flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau, as well as between Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, are being offered at RM348.
“We have included all the major airports in these fixed-fare options. You can begin booking your flights immediately, but it’s advisable to not wait until the very last minute,” Loke said.
Loke said that fixed fares would not only be offered for Chinese New Year, but also for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Gawai and Christmas.
“These fixed-fare tickets are available for purchase from today until Feb 15, 2024, or until they are sold out,” Loke said.
When asked how the government would ensure that airlines do not artificially hike prices and claim the difference from the government, Loke said the government was very “smart” about spending money.
“Don’t underestimate our intelligence and think that the airlines can easily manipulate the prices. It will not happen because first of all, the pricing is being monitored by Mavcom (Malaysian Aviation Commission), and we know exactly how many seats they are claiming,” he said.
Loke also said that thorough audits would be done to check all the claims submitted by airline companies.
“To be transparent, AirAsia just submitted to me its report on our initiative for the Christmas season. The subsidised prices have benefited 5,000 passengers for AirAsia alone.”
On Dec 15, Loke said that people travelling from the peninsula to East Malaysia for various festive occasions would have a maximum airfare limit of RM599, beginning last Christmas.
He said that one-way economy class tickets from Peninsular Malaysia to destinations in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan would be capped at RM599 for flights scheduled on Dec 22, 23, and 24.
