Cheaper airfares during GE15 period, more flights added, says Mavcom

 

Mavcom said 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia during the election period.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian aviation commission (Mavcom) said airfares for domestic flights during the 15th general election (GE15) period will be lower compared with the fares recorded after polling day was announced.

Mavcom said its review of airfares from Nov 16 to 20 showed that one-way average domestic airfare across all airlines for routes within Peninsular Malaysia was RM185.

Malaysians go to the polls on Nov 19.

Mavcom also said the average airfare for routes within East Malaysia during that period was RM188, and for routes between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, the average one-way fare was RM296.

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According to the commission, local domestic flight operators have added more flights for GE15, starting next month.

“The planned additional flights include 45 flights from KL International Airport (KLIA) to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia. For flights from Subang, 30 additional flights are planned to selected locations within the peninsula.

“In addition, 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia,” the statement said.

Mavcom added that Malaysia Airlines would also increase its passenger capacity to selected destinations in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak by utilising its wide-body aircraft.

Meanwhile, Mavcom reminded people that airfares were not regulated by the commission and that prices were determined by airline operators.

Previously, consumers had complained on social media that flight ticket prices were too expensive for them to travel back to their hometowns to cast their votes.

Some netizens complained that the prices of flight tickets had soared following the Election Commission’s announcement on the polling date. - FMT