THE Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) must reveal details of the 30% reduction in air fares for the Hari Raya period, consumer groups said.

They said it is imperative the reduced rates are announced before Hari Raya, which is less than two weeks away.

The groups also said that while people finally get to “balik kampung” after two years, airlines should not take advantage by imposing exorbitant charges.

Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia president Nadim Johan said they understood that for two years people couldn’t fly and the airlines were facing economic problems.

“We believe that they (airlines) want to recoup their losses. It’s okay if they want to charge a certain amount.

“But they can’t take advantage of people who want to travel. They want to charge more, impose this and that. It is wrong,” Nadim told The Malaysian Insight.

On Monday, Mavcom announced that airline ticket prices had gone down by 30%, after they agreed to a compromise for the festive season.

Transport Ministry (MOT) secretary-general Isham Ishak, however, said that Mavcom would come out with an official statement detailing the new rates in the near future.

“Some people say the prices (flight tickets) have increased by 70%, but we have managed to reduce them. Prices have already gone down on (Monday).

“This is because we have managed to increase flight frequency by having the planes redeployed to focus on this (festival) sector,” Isham had said.

While Nadim lauded the 30% reduction in air fares, he also questioned when the authorities were going to implement it.

“When are they going to implement it? Have the airlines agreed?”

He also added that MOT and the Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry must play a role to monitor and ensure there is no fare manipulation.

“There should not be any unnecessary price hike and the MOT should ensure prices are regulated.

“They (Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry) have to manage the prices the public will pay this festive season. This has to be put right. Don’t let the public complain.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob reminded airline operators not to make excessive profits by raising the prices of flight tickets to Sabah and Sarawak exorbitantly this festive season.

Of late, the issue of high air fares to Sabah and Sarawak has become a hot topic after they were displayed on an airline’s website, which were said to have increased to RM2,000 for return flights to Sabah or Sarawak, compared with the usual RM300 for the same trip.

Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations president Marimuthu Nadason said airlines should not take advantage as most people have not flown due to the pandemic.

He also agreed that Mavcom should release the rates of the discounted air fares immediately.

“The airlines cannot take advantage. If the government wants to help the rakyat, they have to ensure that price (air fares) is under control.

“It must also be affordable for people to fly. We wouldn’t want to see high fares being charged.”

He also said that if the government wishes to assist the airlines, there are many ways of doing os.

“So for local flights during Hari Raya, the government can give some kind of tax rebate to the airlines.

“It is only a minimal financial implication (for the government). So, if the airlines take in more people, they can get more rebates.” – April 21, 2022.