KUCHING: As Chinese New Year draws nearer, fixed-rate airfares introduced by several airlines have provided much-needed certainty for Sarawakians living, working and studying outside the state.
The initiative has helped many plan their journeys home during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
For Sarawakian plant operator, Shaiful Ahmad, who is currently based in Qatar, the festive season often brings a heightened sense of longing for home.
Working in the Middle East means returning to Sarawak, and this requires careful planning due to long travel times, higher costs and limited leave.
“When you are working overseas, especially this far away, travelling home is not something you can decide on at the last minute,” he said.
Shaiful said he usually begins checking flight options months in advance, coordinating his leave early and setting aside a travel budget to ensure he can make the journey home.
This year, the availability of fixed-rate fares helped reduce uncertainty during the festive travel period.
“Knowing that the airfare will not suddenly increase closer to the festive season really helps with planning.
“It allows me to focus on managing my work responsibilities and making sure I can spend quality time with my family once I am back in Sarawak,” he said.
Although he does not celebrate Chinese New Year traditionally, Shaiful said the festive period is still meaningful as it gives him the opportunity to spend time with family and friends back home.
He added that preparations for returning home are often practical rather than festive, involving work handovers, long-haul travel arrangements and budgeting for the trip instead of festive shopping or elaborate plans.
“After spending most of the year away for work, even a simple celebration at home with family and friends means a lot.
“Being physically present during the holiday is what matters most,” he said.
Similarly, data operations analyst, Farina Qhadejah Luqmanulhakim, said fixed-rate fares made it easier for her to plan her return home, particularly as airfare prices usually rise closer to festive periods.
“I booked my flight about a month ahead, and the whole process was smooth. Planning early is important, especially when you are working outside Sarawak and need to align travel dates with work commitments,” she said.
Farina, who is half Chinese, added that flexibility from her employer also helped make her trip possible this year.
“I was granted permission to work from home in the week leading up to Chinese New Year, which really helped. It made the transition back home less stressful,” she said.
For Farina, preparations for the festive season were driven more by emotion than logistics.
“Honestly, all I have prepared is my yearning heart to return to Sarawak. It has been almost a year since I last went back. So, I am really looking forward to spending quality time with my family and enjoying home-cooked food,” she said.
Students returning home during the festive period shared similar experiences, with fixed-rate fares helping to ease financial pressure.
Joshua Jong Qian Rong, who is currently in the middle of his study semester, said planning travel dates around academic commitments was his main challenge.
“I have already made arrangements to return, and the process was relatively painless. The main difficulty was deciding when to fly out and return without disrupting my studies,” he said.
He added that the affordability of fixed-rate fares made returning home easier.
“Being able to fly back to see my family without breaking the bank definitely helps,” he said.
Meanwhile, law student Olivia Chin Yi Ning, who studies in Kuala Lumpur, said she returned to Kuching immediately after her semester break to celebrate Chinese New Year with her family.
“The flight was on time, and the journey home was smooth. As a student, having fixed-rate airfares really helps reduce travel expenses,” she said.
While cost remains an important consideration, Olivia said celebrating Chinese New Year at home is always a priority.
“Even if airfares were higher, I would still come home. After studying away for several years, time with my family has become much more precious,” she said.
She added that Chinese New Year provides a valuable opportunity for families to reconnect.
“It is a time for catching up and laughter, and it reminds me to spend more time with my family whenever I can,” she said.
Despite their different circumstances, all agreed that returning home for Chinese New Year is about more than just travel arrangements.
It is a chance to reconnect with loved ones, strengthen family bonds, and celebrate traditions that remain deeply meaningful to Sarawakians, regardless of how far work or studies may take them.
