CNY flight tickets available, book it early, says Dr Wee

PUTRAJAYA: Flight tickets for the next Chinese New Year festive season are now available and travellers should book early to avoid paying a higher price later, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said that the price of these tickets range between RM300 and RM400.

''People should buy early if they have plans to go home.

''Otherwise, any later or last minute purchase will result in high ticket prices.

''This is because all flight tickets are determined through dynamic pricing mechanisms,'' he said at the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers’ Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event at Seri Perdana here on Sunday (May 8).

Dr Wee was responding to complaints of high flight tickets during the Hari Raya festive season.

He said the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has affected global oil prices and subsequently, affected flight tickets for all domestic and international flights.

''Before this, a flight ticket to China only cost several thousands of ringgit but it's impossible now, (costing) tens of thousands of ringgit.

''It's not to say they do this deliberately, but it was due to the increased oil prices.

''And we have to consider the demand too,'' he said, adding that he has asked the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) to monitor the prices.

Dr Wee said that prices of flight tickets cannot be controlled when purchased at the eleventh hour.

He called on those who complained about high-ticket prices for their domestic flights and those whose flights were changed at the last minute to direct their complaints with specific details for Mavcom to investigate and take action.

''An airline cannot simply change a flight schedule on the excuse of insufficient staff because they should have expected the high demands during the peak season.''

He also called for a more integrated approach for all public transport operators, such as airlines, trains and buses to come up with more routes during the peak season to address the high demands.