One-way fare to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan capped at RM599 for Dec 22-24 flights

SEPANG: The maximum price of a one-way flight from Peninsular Malaysia to any destination in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan on Dec 22, 23 and 24 will be capped at RM599, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the fare will be reflected on the respective airlines' websites starting 12.01am Saturday (Dec 16).

The initiative involves AirAsia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air flights.

Loke said the Cabinet agreed to this on Wednesday (Dec 13), and the move aims to alleviate the financial burden on those who want to travel home for the festive season.

“This does not mean that all tickets will be priced at RM599. There will still be (flights) that cost less.

“The price cap only affects those that would have cost more than RM599,” he told a press conference here on Friday (Dec 15).

He said the RM599 cap applies regardless of flight takeoff times.

Loke further explained that the government would absorb the difference in cost for tickets that would have originally cost over RM599.

“We will only know how much will be spent by the government (on this subsidy) later,” he said.

The initiative will also be implemented for upcoming festive seasons next year, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitii, Kaamatan, Gawai and Christmas.