FESTIVE season airfare spikes should not be treated as standard ticket prices as flight charges are influenced by demand and operational factors, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
“Peak festive fares should not be portrayed as normal fares, as airfare pricing depends on demand, aircraft availability, operational costs and market conditions,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today (May 18).
Lee added that AirBorneo had already introduced seasonal fare promotions, including discounts of up to 20 per cent during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri travel period, and would continue similar initiatives for Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations.
At the same time, Lee said AirBorneo is currently undergoing a transition phase following the acquisition of MASwings, with long-term plans to strengthen Sarawak’s regional air connectivity.
“The airline’s present route structure was inherited from the previous Rural Air Services (RAS) operational framework and would be reviewed under AirBorneo’s future network plans,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, Lee also clarified that AirBorneo currently does not operate direct Kuching-Miri flights.
He said claims suggesting passengers travelling from Kuching to Sibu were required to transit through Miri were inaccurate.
According to Lee, the Kuching-Miri, Kuching-Sibu and Kuching-Bintulu routes were discontinued from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) framework in 2019 under the previous federal administration.
“My ministry has already written to the Ministry of Transport Malaysia requesting reinstatement of these routes under the PSO framework for AirBorneo to fly,” he added.
