Gawai rush: Subsidised flights sold out, remaining tickets from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak mostly priced above RM1,000

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Holger Detje/Pixabay

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, May 28: Airfares from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak have surged ahead of the Gawai Dayak celebration on June 1, with remaining one-way tickets now largely priced above RM1,000 as the festive travel rush intensifies.

A spot check of flight bookings for the period between May 29 and 31 shows that subsidised seats under the RM499 airfare cap linked to the MADANI initiative have largely been fully booked, leaving only higher-priced options available for last-minute travellers.

As a result, most remaining fares from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching are now seen ranging between RM900 and RM3,000, depending on airline, timing and seat availability.

Similar patterns are seen across other major Sarawak destinations, including Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. Airfares remain mixed, with some cheaper tickets still available below RM1,000, especially for selected flights to Bintulu and Miri where fares can still be found at around RM300 to RM500 and above.

However, these lower-priced seats are limited, and many of the remaining flights for the peak Gawai travel period are priced higher, with some tickets going above RM1,000. For certain routes and timings, especially during peak departure days, fares can still reach RM2,000 or more depending on airline and availability.

While subsidised fares under the RM499 ceiling were initially shown on booking platforms, checks on airline apps now show that these cheaper seats have mostly been fully booked. This is especially for peak travel days just before Gawai, leaving limited low-cost options available.

Some lower headline fares remain available on select itineraries, but often come with less convenient travel conditions, including longer journey times or limited seat availability.

The price surge comes as thousands of Sarawakians working and studying outside the State make their annual return home for Gawai, placing significant pressure on domestic air travel capacity during the festive period.

The situation also reflects the recurring seasonal spike in demand during major celebrations, where ticket prices typically rise sharply as departure dates approach and availability tightens. — DayakDaily