Flight costs between Sarawak and peninsula soaring, says state Pakatan

THE cost of airfares from Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur and peninsula states is soaring to crazy levels, said Sarawak Pakatan Harapan.

They have taken the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government to task for its apparent failure to fulfill its promises of working with national airlines to get cheaper flights for Sarawak routes.

State PH chairman Chong Chien Jen said the latest prices of airfares offered by AirAsia for Sarawak-peninsula sectors are way too expensive.

Many people who are booking flights for this month from Sarawak to the peninsula and vice versa are shocked with the costs, he said in a press statement.

He said those who are booking in advance now have found that a one-way trip between Miri and Kuala Lumpur for September 13 will cost RM1,709; the Sibu-KL flight will cost RM1,629 one-way;
Kuching to KL will cost RM849 for a one way trip.

“To make matters worse, seats are limited and passengers have little options if they need to book a seat.

“Adding to that, Malaysia Airlines (and Firefly) had announced impending reductions of flights for the domestic routes too.

“What is the GPS government doing about this?” he said.

Chong said the state government had promised to sort out these hefty airfare issues with the national airlines and had repeatedly announced it was setting up its own state airlines.

“These promises from GPS have not seen fruition,” he said.

Chong, who is Stampin MP and state assemblyman for Padungan, is also Sarawak DAP chairman.

He expressed concern that domestic routes between Sarawak destinations may also see hikes in airfares.

He urged the GPS state ministers to act fast to get the airfares reduced as the school holidays and festive seasons are approaching. – September 1, 2024.