Capped airfares during CNY

KOTA KINABALU: Air ticket price between Peninsular and two Bornean states will be capped during the Chinese New Year (CNY) season next year.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that airfares would be fixed at RM149 for the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching, Sibu and Miri routes, whilst the airfares for Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu will be capped at RM199.

The minister also announced that AirAsia would be allowed to operate the Kota Kinabalu-Sibu route which was previously monopolized by MASwings, Malaysia Airline's subsidiary in Sabah and Sarawak.

Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin yesterday welcomed the government's announcement to cap the air fares.

"This is long overdue. It is no secret that many Sabahans and Sarawakians work in Peninsular Malaysia and that they previously could not return to their hometowns during festive seasons due to highly inflated and hugely overpriced air tickets.

"Yes, the increase in price is due to the sudden spike in demand for air travel during the festive season, but the rakyat should not be penalised for the same, especially when air travel is the only viable option to travel between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Kudos to the Ministry of Transport and AirAsia."

Meanwhile, AirAsia will add extra late night flights to accommodate travel demand on popular routes for the upcoming Chinese New Year period between Jan 30 and Feb 12, 2019.

These include routes to and from Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Sibu and Miri.

The airline offers fixed low fares of RM99 one-way from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, RM149 from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, Sibu and Kuching, and RM199 from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.