KOTA KINABALU – Airlines should increase flight frequencies to Sabah during the festive season to keep fares affordable, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She said East Malaysians are concerned that they will not be able to return to their home states during the festive period due to expensive flight tickets.
“I have received many complaints from students and those working in Peninsular Malaysia telling me they could not come back because the flights are too expensive.
“It is high time for them (airlines) not to ignore East Malaysians, not just Sabahans who want to come home, not just Hari Raya but during other festivals,” she told reporters during her ministry’s breaking-of-fast event last night.
“If you know your (airlines) flights should be full this time around, then you should think of increasing your number of flights.
“We don’t want this to be a problem that will also be affecting tourism (in Sabah).
“If you (airlines) use the same number of flights, what happens to our tourists who want to come to Sabah?
“We also receive many domestic tourists, and they also want to come to Sabah for the holidays,” said Liew, adding that she plans to bring the matter to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, hoping he would take the matter to the federal Transport Ministry.
Malaysia Aviation Group’s airlines – Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASwings – will offer more than 18,000 additional seats for the coming Hari Raya peak-travel period from April 18 to May 1.
This is on top of the additional 20,000 seats launched last March 29, which are currently almost fully sold out.
A quick check by The Vibes via travel site Airpaz, found that return airfare for Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu between April 18 and May 1 ranges between RM2,780 and RM5,967.
The airlines include Scoot, Malindo Air, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and AirAsia X. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023
