Taking off: Loke attending the Flysiswa launching ceremony at Universiti Putra Malaysia in Serdang, Selangor. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
SERDANG: More than 60,000 students in higher education institutions will be eligible for the FlySiswa programme this year, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the programme will be expanded to students from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage, government-linked universities and state-owned higher education institutions.
Trainees under the Manpower Department Training Institution will also be eligible for FlySiswa, increasing the number of eligible students this year by 6,278.
Students from public higher learning institutions, polytechnics and community colleges, as well as Matriculation and Teacher Education Institutes will continue to be eligible for the programme.
“This approach is a progressive step that will ensure equity and inclusivity while supporting the public education sector.
“Further details on the programme will be announced in the near future,” he said during the launching ceremony of FlySiswa 2026 at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday.
Under the programme, eligible students will receive a digital voucher worth RM400.
The voucher can then be used to purchase economy class airline tickets, either one or two-way, from local airlines namely Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, AirAsia, Batik Air and Air Borneo.
In a press release, the ministry said Phase 1 of FlySiswa 2026 had already begun distribution as of Jan 1 for existing eligible and newly registered students up to Sept 30 last year.
Phase 2 will see vouchers distributed in March for newly registered students during Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2025.
Phase 3 will be for newly registered students from Jan 1 to March 31 with distribution starting in July.
Loke said FlySiswa’s expansion is to coincide with the expected increasing importance of the programme in reducing the financial burden of local students to travel back to their hometowns.
He also said FlySiswa 2025 saw a major spike in both eligible registered students and those who claimed the voucher compared to the previous year.
“Last year, eligible students increased to 56,450 and claimed vouchers to 44,741 (79.26%), compared to only 37,498 (72.04%) claimed vouchers out of 52,055 eligible students in 2024.
“This is why the programme has been expanded as the government remains committed and attentive in listening to the voices of the people,” he said.
