KUALA LUMPUR – The Transport Ministry has asked the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and airline companies to immediately investigate the increase in airfares during the festive season.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said he conveyed the matter during a special meeting chaired by him yesterday with Mavcom, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), and domestic airlines.
He said the meeting was held to find solutions following public complaints on increase in fares between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Wee said CAAM had approved the extension of air traffic control operating hours at the required airports, and helped airlines plan for the additional capacity, especially with the approaching festive season.
“The ministry is committed and will make every effort to reduce airfares to ease the people’s burden. The Transport Ministry, through Mavcom, will inform the public on the outcome of discussions with the airline companies soon,” he said in a statement today.
According to Wee, based on monitoring conducted by Mavcom, airfares on April 30, 2022 – the peak travel date for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season – are higher than the average in 2019.
“This increase is due to increased operating costs, especially the increase in jet fuel prices, as well as limited resources for airlines to increase full capacity.
“The dynamic pricing mechanism also uses artificial intelligence to help determine the fare price,” he said.
Wee said airline companies also have problems increasing flight capacity immediately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the aircraft need to go through maintenance, repair, and overhaul before they can be approved for safe service.
Wee said for April 2022, the frequency of flights to Sabah and Sarawak is still low at only 68% compared with 2019. – Bernama, April 15, 2022
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