KOTA KINABALU: The Transport Ministry should work out a "win-win" situation for airlines to provide reasonably-priced fares between Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Warisan president said that airfares – especially during festive holidays – between major towns in Sabah and Sarawak should also be addressed so that consumers are not overly burdened.
"The issue of very expensive plane tickets for flights from Kuala Lumpur to cities in Sabah – such as Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan or even to Labuan – is not a new issue.
"Over the years, similar situations have happened, especially during festive seasons.
"We are aware and know that airlines' operational costs are not cheap, especially with ever-increasing cost of fuel as well as the uncertain world economy," he said.
However, Shafie said the government should work with relevant authorities to ensure that prices remain reasonable during festive seasons.
He also noted that the price of plane tickets for domestic flights within Sabah had also increased.
"Sabahans only have two options – use airlines or the road. We all know that Sabah road conditions are very bad and a road trip could damage vehicles. Motorists also sometimes face the danger of accidents while going through poorly-maintained stretches.
"Going by road will also increase travel time. What should be an eight-hour drive can take up 10 hours or more to reach a destination," Shafie said.
He also urged the Transport Ministry to get airlines to increase flights within major towns in Sabah, adding that it would also help passengers if they missed their flights.
MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong raised the issue of expensive flight tickets on Sunday (April 16), saying that a Kuala Lumpur-Tawau flight ticket costs over RM3,000.
However, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the price was for business class tickets.
Facebook user Jaswinder Kler said that a check found that only business class seats were available for KL-KK and KL-Tawau flights.
"You press economy, business class appears," she said.
However, Jaswinder said economy class seats were only available for flights from Sabah (Kota Kinabalu or Tawau) to Kuala Lumpur but "the price is also high" at over RM2,000.
"I checked myself. Look at it. From Tawau to KL, economy (class) is more expensive than business (class) and includes (a) transit, KK," she posted.
