DOMESTIC airlines have been ordered to reduce airfares in light of the recent spike in ticket prices ahead of the Sarawak polls, said Wee Ka Siong.

The transport minister said a lot of people are angered over the high prices, especially as year-end holidays are just around the corner, too.

“This is a matter of serious concern to the government. Discussions have been held to resolve the matter that affects many people; from the travellers to the family members with whom they long to reunite after much time apart due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a Facebook post.

“The Transport Ministry has engaged with industry players and state governments, including Sarawak, to increase the frequency of flights to all destinations against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to contain Covid-19 nationwide.”

Wee said the best way to bring down flight ticket prices is to increase flight frequency.

“By doing so, airfares will be dictated by a market-driven dynamic pricing mechanism, which takes into account supply and demand, economic conditions, fuel costs and other operational factors.”

He said his ministry has written to Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin to request the state government return the decision of regulating the frequency of air passenger services to the Malaysian Aviation Commission on November 18.

“State governments and their related agencies must do their part to let market supply and demand prevail and allow airlines to increase the frequency of air passenger services based on market-driven operational consideration.”

Wee said domestic airlines, such as AirAsia and Malindo Air, have been told to reduce airfares to allow locals to travel during the year-end period.

Industry players have also been urged to not hike up ticket prices to avoid the perception that they are doing so to recoup losses over the last two years.

“I urge all parties to take immediate action to lower airfares without the need for the federal government and its agencies to unduly intervene in their operations.”

Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii had earlier this week urged the federal government to find ways to lower ticket prices for flights to Sarawak.

He said price control for three days before and after the polls is necessary to encourage voters working in the peninsula to return home to vote.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) had yesterday said it has received approval to increase the frequency of flights from 21 to 35 a week to Sarawak.

The frequency of flights for the Kuala Lumpur-Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur-Miri and Kuala Lumpur-Sibu routes will be increased from seven to 14.

For the travel period next month, MAS said it has filed an average one-way fare of RM350 from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, beginning October.

Sarawak will go to the polls on December 18. – November 27, 2021.