KUCHING: Sarawakians in Peninsular Malaysia are bracing for high airfares and thinking twice about travelling home for Hari Raya.
Zairil Fikri Zakaria was shocked to see one-way flights costing RM800 to RM1,500 from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching during the Hari Raya period.
“That means a return flight would cost up to RM3,000 per person. Such high airfares are extremely disappointing,” said the private sector worker in Bangi, Selangor.
“My family (of five) has to think hard about going back home to celebrate Raya. If we can’t afford it, we will have to celebrate Raya away from our hometown.”
Zairil also said it was unfortunate that airfares soar during festive seasons because of high demand.
“The price is usually most expensive the day before Raya,” he said.
Hari Raya is expected to fall on either April 10 or 11 this year.
Quantity surveyor Nurul Natasha said her planned trip to Kuching for Hari Raya would cost around RM800 to RM1,000 for a return flight from Kuala Lumpur.
“The price is ridiculous. It is almost the same as the airfare to travel overseas,” she said.
Nurul, who works in Kuala Lumpur, said high airfares during festive seasons forced employees to plan their annual leave and ticket purchases well ahead of time.
Factory worker Hazrul Wan said he managed to get a return flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching for about RM680 as he had bought the ticket several months earlier.
However, he said this price was still higher than normal.
“Usually, I can get a return flight for about RM500, so this is still expensive for me,” he said.
“I am disappointed that I couldn’t get a cheaper ticket. It means I have less money to bring home to my family for Raya.”
