KUCHING: Sarawak Teochew Sim Clan Association has opined the government and airline should do more, especially to increase the flight frequency during the festive seasons, to tackle the issue of high ticket prices.
Its Vice President Dato Sim Kiang Chiok said it was not really an ideal suggestion to ask the people to buy their flight tickets for the next Chinese New Year festive season, which is more than six months away.
“I think that (maybe) it’s too early to do so now… particularly for those who need to buy the ticket for a big family or whole family,” he said when contacted.
“Besides, there might be some promotions or low airfare tickets offered by the airline companies from time to time before the Chinese New Year in January next year,” he added.
Sim said oil prices might even drop when or if the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war ends this year.
He said asking the people to buy their flight tickets now would not solve the issue, but having additional airline companies, routes or flights entering Sarawak, from major cities in Peninsular Malaysia as well as Singapore, would definitely increase the competition and thus lower fares.
“I think the best time or proper time for people to book their tickets would be around two to three months before the festive season,” he said.
On Sunday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said people should buy early if they have plans to go home. Otherwise, any later or last-minute purchase will result in high ticket prices
He said flight tickets for the next Chinese New Year festive season are available and prices range from between RM300 and RM400.
Dr Wee was responding to complaints of high flight ticket prices during the Hari Raya festive season.
He said the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war had affected global oil prices and, subsequently, flight tickets for all domestic and international flights.
‘’It’s not to say they are doing this deliberately, but it is due to the increase in oil prices.
“And we have to consider the demand too,’’ he said, adding that he had asked the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) to monitor the prices.
Dr Wee said prices of flight tickets cannot be controlled when purchased at the eleventh hour.
