Friday 29 Mar 2024
By
main news image

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): The government has decided not to impose ceiling and floor prices for airline tickets for an interim period, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar.

Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat today, Kamarudin said it is among interim measures to be undertaken by the transport ministry to control flight ticket prices.

"The government will not impose ceiling and floor prices for domestic flight tickets to avoid any price manipulation by airline companies, where average prices become higher even during off-peak seasons if they are imposed," he said.

Airline companies have also provided commitment to increase domestic flight frequency by a minimum of 20% in high-demand routes for a seven-day period prior to a festive holiday, namely Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Hari Gawai and Kaamatan Festival, he said.

"In relation to that, the government will get the support of airport operators, ground services, ERL (Express Rail Link), and taxis to expand their services in the seven-day period," said Kamarudin.

Ticket prices, he said, will remain market-driven, taking into account prices such as fuel and operating costs, as well as the economic climate.

All the measures were decided in a meeting between Transport Minister Anthony Loke and airline companies on Sept 4, 2018, said Kamarudin.

Meanwhile, The Malaysian Aviation Commission has been instructed to observe ticket prices during the implementation of the interim measures, said Kamarudin, who did not specify the interim period.

"If the measures fail to control prices, then the government will reconsider implementing ceiling and floor prices," said Kamarudin.

Meanwhile, he said the government has no plans yet to impose targeted subsidy for flight tickets. "But we already have subsidy for [flights to] rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak," he added.

      Print
      Text Size
      Share