Mechanism to ensure availability of affordable flights during festive period in the works

20 April 2023

A new standardised mechanism to ensure the availability of affordable flights for future festive seasons is currently being developed, says Anthony Loke.

Mechanism to ensure availability of affordable flights during festive period in the works, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (Photo by Shahrin Yahya/The Edge)

The Transport Minister said that he had received a mandate from the Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop the mechanism, which would focus primarily on flights going to East Malaysia.

“The new mechanism will make it easier and faster for us to cooperate with airlines in creating affordable tickets for travelers returning home during the festive seasons.

“Development is still in its early stages but we are hoping to announce it before the next major holiday of Kaamatan at the end of May which is celebrated heavily in Sabah and Sarawak.

“We will ensure that the mechanism is feasible in every aspect first before we announce it later on,” he said after giving a special send off to passengers boarding one of AirAsia’s Special Extra Flight to Tawau, Sabah at KLIA Terminal 2 on Thursday (April 20).

Loke added that an additional mechanism was also being developed for Public Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTA) students who travel year round for their studies between East and West Malaysia.

“We are currently working with the Higher Education Ministry on acquiring the number of and details of all the students who travel between the two regions.

“The plan is to ensure that the travel expenses of these students do not stop them from traveling to see their family regardless of what time of year it is as their semester holidays may not always follow festive seasons,” he added.

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