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The transport ministry has been urged to impose a cap on domestic airfares, after Sarawak United People’s Party Youth chief Kevin Lau said the one-way fare from Sibu to Kuching had gone as high as RM969, double that of a flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Lau said the most expensive one-way fare from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur today is RM439.
“I have received numerous complaints from the public. Even for tomorrow (April 18), one-way tickets from Sibu to Kuching range from RM409 to RM749, still significantly higher than the RM175 to RM319 fares for flights from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur,” he said in a statement quoted by the Borneo Post.
“A one-way flight from Sibu to Kuching takes only 35 minutes, while a flight from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur takes two hours and five minutes. On what basis are fares for the Sibu–Kuching route being determined?” the statement said.
He noted that flights between Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia are subject to a fare cap of RM499 during festive seasons, and expressed hope that AirBorneo’s coming entry into the market would introduce more competitive pricing and reduce AirAsia’s dominance on the route.
Lau said greater competition is needed to make air travel more affordable, adding that this was among the reasons behind the Sarawak government’s decision to establish AirBorneo.
The airline, which is set to begin operations in July with Kuching as its hub, is expected to expand both domestically and regionally.
Lau urged AirBorneo to take into account connectivity needs and ensure that fares remain reasonable and affordable for the people.
Last month, transport minister Loke Siew Fook cautioned that rising global jet fuel prices – driven by tensions in the Middle East – would push up airfares and airlines may impose fuel surcharges or cut low-demand routes to maintain efficiency.
He said the government would not cap fares as the aviation sector operates on a free-market basis.
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