Loke: Two-week flight ticket subsidy will incur significant costs

Extending the maximum RM599 fare for one-way economy class flights from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, from three days to two weeks, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, will incur significant costs, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

Loke reiterated that the initiative, which also applies to other festive seasons, was undertaken by the Transport Ministry with no specific funding from the Treasury.

“Of course. That is what I want to do throughout the year (to provide subsidised fares).

“However, it is a cost that the ministry has to bear,” he told the media, after officiating the Routes Asia 2024 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi today.

“Even for three days, it costs us a few million ringgit every time we cap (airfares). So, I understand the sentiment, but it is a limitation that we face, and in terms of financial resources, it won’t be enough to cover (the cost of subsidising the airfares for two weeks),” he added.

On Saturday (Feb 24), Loke announced that the government has set a maximum fare of RM599 for a one-way economy class flight from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, applicable for travel three days before Aidilfitri.

He said this initiative was part of the government’s efforts to assist people in travelling back to their hometowns for Aidilfitri in April.

Yesterday, Consumers Front of Sabah appealed to the government for the three days to be extended to two weeks, to allow more residents from the three regions to enjoy reasonable flight ticket prices when returning to their hometowns.

It was also of the view that the three days set to implement the maximum price of flight tickets for Aidilfitri was not enough because not everyone could take an early holiday, as some had to work during the festival and could only return to their hometowns afterwards.

- Bernama