SARAWAK has approved an increase in the frequency of flights into the state from the current 89 weekly to 223 from November 1, state Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said today, adding that it’s now up to the airlines to start operating on the new frequency and schedule.

In an apparent response to recent criticisms levelled by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii on the astronomically high air fares to Sarawak, Lee said his ministry forwarded a proposal to increase the frequency to the state disaster management committee, the federal Ministry of Transport and Malaysia Aviation Commission last Monday.

“As (of) today, all the airlines, namely Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Airways, Scoot Tigerair and MASwings have been notified by Mavcom on the new flight frequency approval for their next course of action.

“This is to confirm their flight schedules, mobilise their manpower and aircraft to suit the new requirements,” Lee said.

The number of flights into Kuching has been increased from 44 to 114 weekly, Miri  (from 19 to 40), Sibu (eight to 31), Bintulu (six to 24), Limbang and Lawas (five to seven). The frequency to Mulu is maintained at seven times weekly.

Lee said his ministry strongly believes that with the increased frequency, airfare will be reduced.

Currently there is no restriction on the frequency of domestic flights within Sarawak.

The Covid-19 epidemic had forced the state disaster management committee to restrict the frequency of flights.

On October 1, the committee approved an increase in flight frequency into Sarawak from 22 to 89 flights weekly.

Despite the increase, Lee said, the ministry still received numerous feedback, complaints and requests from the public for more flights.

The Bandar Kuching MP recently said the cost of air tickets from the peninsula to Sarawak and Sabah increased significantly since the implementation of the movement control order.

The trend had persisted until now, even when the government has already allowed inter-state travel, he said.

“What used to cost between RM300 and RM500 for a two-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching now can be up to RM3,000 or more. That’s a more than 1,000% increase,” he added.

Yi said the low frequency in flights may be the “main reason causing the prices to go up exorbitantly”. – October 28, 2021.