Consumer association disappointed over costly KK-Tawau airfares

KOTA KINABALU: The West Coast Consumer Association of Sabah expresses disappointment over the increase in domestic flight ticket prices during festive seasons.

President of the West Coast Consumer Association of Sabah, David Chan, stated that based on feedback, every festive season sees a significant rise in flight ticket prices, with domestic flights between Kota Kinabalu and Tawau costing nearly RM500 for a one-way ticket.

“We all know that during Hari Raya, many people are eager to return to their hometowns to celebrate Aidilfitri with their families, and students studying in the Peninsula are also disappointed because of the very high prices of tickets, which they cannot afford,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Therefore, David hopes that the airlines will consider providing cheaper flight tickets, especially for students who want to return home for Hari Raya.

The government has not set a maximum fare for travelling within Sabah during the festive season. It has only set RM599 for a one-way economy class flight from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, applicable for travel three days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The pricey airfare between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak was brought up in Parliament by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

The Kinabatangan member of parliament contended that the cost of air tickets was especially excessive during school holidays or the festive periods, making Sabahans and Sarawakians think twice about gping home.

“The airfare for economy seats between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, particularly during school breaks and festive periods, can reach up to RM3,800 just for a one-way ticket,” he said during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.