PUTRAJAYA: The subsidy period for flights from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will be extended to four days prior to Hari Raya Aidilfitri, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The period during which fares are subsidised would be April 6, 7, 8 and 9, he said.
Loke added that a one-way flight ticket from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan on any of those four days would not cost more than RM599 for the initial fare.
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"Any additional charge above the maximum price is borne by the government. The ticket does not include taxes and fees.
"The maximum price will aid passengers who are forced to purchase flight tickets at the last minute to a high-demand destination during the festive season.
"Travellers can get cheaper flights if they plan their journey earlier. The extension is expected to have a financial implication of RM1.8mil on the government," he told a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters here on Friday (March 22).
The maximum price for tickets bought to travel on those four days will be in effect from 5pm Friday, he added.
Loke added that the extension was based on positive reception to the ministry's initiative, launched on Dec 15, to subsidise flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan during festive seasons.
"Under this initiative, the government will cover the cost of one-way flight tickets exceeding RM599 for three days before Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Pesta Kaamatan, Hari Gawai and Christmas," he said.
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Loke said the government would also continue other initiatives including facilitating additional flights.
"For the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, the ministry through the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) has facilitated an additional 342 domestic flights across the country between April 3 and 18.
"This strategy has shown positive effects where more flight tickets, especially for routes from Kuala Lumpur to major destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, are sold at lower prices.
"On March 4, AirAsia also cooperated by offering 22,000 flight tickets at a fixed price of RM298 one-way for travel from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak and RM348 one-way for Kuala Lumpur to Sabah," he said.
