KOTA KINABALU: Many might not be able to return to Sabah for Hari Raya Aidilfitri due to steep airfares during the festive seasons, says a consumer association here.
West Coast Consumer Association of Sabah president David Chan said he is disappointed with the price hike in domestic flights, particularly during festive periods or school breaks.
He said that feedback received showed that every festive season will see a significant rise in flight ticket prices, with domestic flights between Kota Kinabalu and Tawau costing nearly RM500 for a one-way ticket.
“We all know that during Hari Raya, many people are eager to return to their hometowns to celebrate Aidilfitri with their families,” he said in a statement here on Thursday (March 7).
“And students studying in Peninsular Malaysia are also disappointed because of the very high prices of tickets, which they cannot afford,” Chan added.
Towards this end, he hoped that the airlines in question will consider providing cheaper flight tickets, especially for students who want to return home for Hari Raya.
Former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had on Tuesday (March 5) brought up the issue of the prices of airfares between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.
The Kinabatangan MP said that the cost of air tickets was especially excessive during school holidays or festive periods, making Sabahans and Sarawakians think twice about travelling across the South China Sea to return home.
