PETALING JAYA: Increasing flight frequencies during peak season to boost capacity is effective in overcoming congestion and lowering air fares, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The former transport minister said the people were looking forward to more flights and lower fares, especially those who wish to return to their hometowns for the festivities to be with their loved ones.
“I am confident that this can be (achieved), especially with the new Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Complex (KLATCC), which will increase the movement of flights at KLIA and KLIA2 to 108 an hour with the simultaneous use of three lanes, compared to only 84 an hour with only two lanes previously.
“In May when the borders were reopened, many airlines were having difficulties providing additional flights because many of their aircraft were grounded during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Because of that, they had to go through a rather long maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) process before being allowed to operate for the safety of the people,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Dec 27).
However, he said, more aircraft have gone through the MRO process by now and so airlines should be able to provide additional flights at a lower price.
“I am confident the Transport Ministry under the unity government will continue to work on this matter.
“Hopefully airlines are able to offer additional flights at midnight with low airfares, especially during the approaching holiday seasons,” he said.
Dr Wee was responding to the hike in return airfare from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak during the festive season.
He added that the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had discussed additional flights with airlines.
Furthermore, it was recommended a few months ago that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) extend operations during peak season.
“This was agreed to in principle.
“Very soon we will be celebrating Chinese New Year and after that, Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“We hope that Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air and new local airline MyAirline, which started its operations in December, can implement these suggestions and offer cheap airfares during festive seasons,” he said.
