Low fares for all: AirAsia flight crew members posing at the launch of AirAsia fixed fares to Sabah and Sarawak in conjunction with Chinese New Year at AirAsia RedQ in KLIA, Sepang. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
SEPANG: Close monitoring of flight ticket subsidies makes it almost impossible for airlines to manipulate prices for their own gain, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said airfares during festive seasons are being closely monitored by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), which knows exactly how many seats are being sold by all airlines.
“The government is very smart in spending money. Do not underestimate our intelligence by thinking that airlines can easily manipulate the prices.
“It will not happen as the pricing is being monitored by Mavcom and we know exactly how many seats they are claiming,” he said on measures to prevent airlines from manipulating the prices of flight tickets to claim subsidies.
Loke added that a thorough audit process is also in place to check all airlines’ subsidy claims.
“The ministry is aware of the details of each particular flight, how many seats are sold and at what price. The airlines cannot just artificially increase the prices.
“Because they have an algorithm and pricing mechanism, they cannot just hide the price and claim from the government,” he said yesterday at the launch of AirAsia fixed fares to Sabah and Sarawak in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festival in February.
The fixed fares are applicable for routes from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu or Miri, as well as from Johor Baru to Kuching, Sibu or Miri, which are priced at RM298 for a one-way trip.
One-way tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan or Tawau, and from Johor Baru to Kota Kinabalu will be priced at RM348.
These fixed fares are available for purchase from Jan 5 to Feb 15, for the travel period of Feb 5-15.Loke said the subsidised airfares are meant to bridge the travel gap between Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states.
“The government introduced a subsidised price cap of RM599 on flights between the two during festival seasons starting from Christmas last year.
“That means the price cap will not only apply during the coming Chinese New Year, but also Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan and Gawai,” he added.
Besides the subsidised airfares, Loke said AirAsia also operates 408 flights per week at regular prices to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in support of the government’s festive season initiative.In addition, there are 134 late-night flights at fixed low fares to seven popular destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, he said.
AirAsia Aviation Group chief executive officer Bo Lingam, who was present at the event, said a total of 25,000 seats were allocated for the upcoming festive period.
He advised passengers who are travelling during the festive season to self check-in using the airasia Superapp, which is available as early as 14 days before the departure date, and to use e-boarding passes.
