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MIRI – More Kuala Lumpur-Miri flights are needed to lower airfares as they are still too expensive for those wishing to return here for Chinese New Year, claimed Miri MP Chiew Choon Man.
While welcoming the additional flights for the festive season, he concurred with Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin that the state needs higher trip frequency even during normal times for the high-demand route.
“Despite some improvements since Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced fixed-rate flight tickets, we can still see that the ticket prices are relatively expensive, especially when the dates are near.”
The Sarawak PKR Youth chief said although he does not have exact details on the increased number of flights or seats available, checks on airfares still show higher prices during this period.
He said from the airline industry’s pricing mechanism point of view, the only way to reduce airfares is by introducing more supply into the market.
On December 28, AirAsia announced one-way fixed fares from the peninsular to Sarawak at RM199 and to Sabah at RM249.
On January 16, Lee said AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Firefly would provide 71 additional flights per day from the peninsular to Sarawak between January 18 and 21 to allow Sarawakians to return home in time for Chinese New Year.
With Malaysians having their first restriction-free Chinese New Year since 2020, Chiew also urged constituents to exercise care.
“We will all celebrate like the pre-Covid-19 era, but still we would like to advise that Covid-19 is still around and some countries have experienced a spike in the number of positive cases.”
He added it is vital to continue to maintain basic precautionary methods such as wearing a mask in crowded indoor environments and washing hands frequently.
The Miri MP also appealed for greater vigilance on the road. – Borneo Post Online, January 18, 2023