THE Transport Ministry will review with flight operators a mechanism for affordable flight tickets for students.
In light of the increasing cost of living, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook asserted that the ministry is committed to offering students affordable alternatives.
“We are aware of the issue and we will try to provide various initiatives for students. We will also discuss with several airline operators that have yet to introduce any travel programme for students which offers cheaper flight tickets and other benefits,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in Dewan Rakyat.
Loke was responding to an inquiry from Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee about the Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (MAVCOM) long-term strategies for combating ridiculously-priced flight tickets between the Peninsula and Sabah, particularly during the festive period.
Wong also did mention that a one-way flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan cost RM1,400 last week, which was deemed too expensive for students heading home.
Loke also pointed out that students should also enlist in the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MHexplorer programme, which offers up to 30% fare discounts all year long, along with an additional 10kg baggage allowance for all classes, one complimentary travel date change, special friends and family promotions.
Simultaneously, he stated that a discussion would be held with airline operators to increase flight frequencies in order to combat high ticket prices for routes with no direct flights.
“For example, this will involve areas like Penang to Sabah and Sarawak. Some airlines might have direct flights to Kota Kinabalu, but fewer to Sandakan. Hence, we will try to add the frequencies and capacities to provide more direct flights,” he added.
Meanwhile, Loke stated that the ministry has no hesitations about increasing flight frequencies from peninsular Malaysia to east Malaysia, but that this would depend on commercial trade as well as consumer market demand.
“If there is a demand between point-to-point flights, airline operators are welcome to add flights. If the demand is high, they will surely open more routes,” he said in response to an additional question from Padang Besar MP Rushdan Rusmi on MAVCOM’s plan to increase flight frequencies from the West Coast to the East Coast. – March 9, 2023
Main pic credit: Sumberkini
