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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have launched discount campaigns for airfares to help Malaysians fulfil their civic duty in the 15th general election (GE15).
Malaysia Airlines is offering a 20% discount on all domestic flights – for all fare categories – booked from now until November 19, for the November 11-27 travel period, it said on its Facebook.
“If you identify as Anak Malaysia, this is your chance to fly home to vote for your future and for your children’s futures,” the airline said.
Firefly, meanwhile, is offering discounts on its base fares of up to 24%, for travel from November 1 to June 30, 2023.
Bookings for this discount, however, must be made before October 24.
“Here we are supporting all Malaysians to vote with up to (a) 24% discount. It’s time to fly back home and cast your ballot,” Firefly said on its Facebook page.
Airfares shot up yesterday soon after the Election Commission announced that polling day for GE15 would be on November 19.
On Twitter, many users complained that AirAsia’s fares had more than doubled, or that the billed price did not match the price displayed when searching available flights.
Caretaker transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong yesterday said the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) will monitor and intervene if airfare prices skyrocket unreasonably ahead of GE15.
Wee said Mavcom had been monitoring fares since a week ago and would continue to do so.
He said Malaysia Airlines and Firefly were also increasing their flight schedules.
“The airlines have been encouraged to play their roles to ensure more flights are available to certain destinations and the authorities will facilitate their requests for more slots to fly,” Wee said in another statement on Facebook.
However, he also advised voters to make early bookings and take advantage of promotions. – The Vibes, October 21, 2022