KUALA LUMPUR – Flights during the 15th general election (GE15) travelling period have decreased in price since a recorded spike following the announcement of GE15 key dates, according to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
In a statement today, the regulatory body said that one-way average domestic airfares across all airline routes within Peninsular Malaysia is RM185 while routes within East Malaysia are priced at an average of RM188.
Routes between East Malaysia and the peninsula, meanwhile, are charged at RM296 on average.
“The (airline) industry has shown its support in facilitating voters fulfilling their civic duty and returning to their respective hometowns without the burden of high airfares,” Mavcom executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said in the statement.
“We are pleased to see that airlines have introduced promotions and launched discounted airfares to facilitate (voters).
“However, more can be done, and airlines must continue to play their part for the nation during this critical period.”
The statement detailed that the commission’s analysis indicated a “small percentage” of routes have higher than average airfares, leading to the body urging airlines to increase the capacity of such routes during GE15.
“Mavcom has requested that airlines increase capacity on its operating routes during the GE15 travelling dates to ensure that enough flights are available to various domestic destinations at an affordable price,” the statement said.
It added that based on data submitted to the commission, all local scheduled airlines have planned extra flights for GE15 beginning next month, based on the resources at their disposal.
“The planned additional flights include 45 flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia.
“For flights from Subang, 30 additional flights are planned to selected locations within the peninsula.
“In addition, 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.”
Besides that, the commission highlighted that airfares are currently not regulated and are instead determined by airlines, in line with the government’s decision in 2006, which aimed to rationalise the domestic air services industry.
Previously, caretaker transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had assured the public that Mavcom will monitor the situation on increasing airfare prices.
This follows Malaysians venting on social media about skyrocketing ticket prices hours after the Election Commission (EC) had announced that the nation will vote for a new government on November 19, with early polls set for November 15.
Malaysia Airlines and Firefly had subsequently launched domestic discount campaigns for airfares to aid voters journeying back home to their ballot boxes. – The Vibes, October 27, 2022
