KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): Air ticket prices have come down by 30% after the Malaysian Aviation Commission agreed to a compromise for the festive season, according to Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak, The Star reported.
Isham said Mavcom, however, would come out with an official statement detailing the new rates in the near future.
"There are some who say ticket prices increased by more than 70% but we have managed to lower the rates including the rates today (Monday, April 18).
"This is because we have increased the frequency of flights by redeployment of planes (with a focus on) the festive season," he was quoted as saying to reporters at an event in KL Sentral on Monday.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong told reporters at a separate event that a solution has been found for the issue of high airfares and that the outcome would be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.
According to The Star, Wee said five parties — comprising Mavcom, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and three airlines — Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Malindo Air — had worked non-stop since last Thursday to come up with a solution, which was reached on Sunday afternoon.
“The outcome has been sent to the Prime Minister for him to make an announcement,” he reportedly said after launching a road safety campaign in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The meeting also took into consideration limitations faced by airline companies, particularly about their aircraft, the report wrote.
“Not many people understand that it is not easy for airlines to just operate additional flights when the aircraft has been left in the hangar for two years.
“In order for these aircraft to be used, it needs to comply with a list of safety aspects and must go through a process of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) before it is approved for safe service,” he was quoted as saying.
He also reportedly said Malaysia Airlines has agreed to do this to help solve the problem.
The issue of skyrocketing airfares have been in the limelight recently, with return air tickets to Sabah and Sarawak reportedly jumping from RM300 to RM2,000 per person ahead of the Hari Raya festive period.