AirAsia is offering one-way economy tickets at an all-in fixed fare to Sabah and Sarawak at RM348 and RM298 respectively for the Chinese New Year period starting Friday (Jan 5).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters at a press conference at AirAsia RedQ headquarters on Friday that the fixed-fare tickets are available for purchase from Friday until Feb 15 or once sold out.
Loke added that it was a priority to bridge the gap between East and West Malaysia.
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Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters at a press conference at AirAsia RedQ headquarters on Friday that the fixed-fare tickets are available for purchase from Friday until Feb 15 or once sold out.
Loke added that it was a priority to bridge the gap between East and West Malaysia.
Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mrxsknae
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [BELLS RINGING]
00:03 As we usher in the Chinese New Year,
00:13 and what's more, a very significant year
00:15 for the Chinese community in the year of the dragon,
00:19 it is imperative to highlight the government's continued
00:22 commitment to facilitating affordable air
00:25 travel for Malaysians between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah
00:29 and Sarawak.
00:31 Our collaborative efforts with industry partners,
00:34 especially with AirAsia, underscore our dedication
00:38 to ensuring that Malaysians can reunite with their families,
00:42 friends, and loved ones with accessible and reasonable
00:46 affairs, especially during important periods
00:49 like the upcoming festive seasons.
00:51 This commitment is vital, as air travel
00:54 remains the principal link between East and West Malaysia.
00:59 Above all, these initiatives are intended
01:01 to strengthen our integration and unity as a federation.
01:06 We hold to the words embedded in our national code of arms,
01:10 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] or unity in strength.
01:14 As your transport minister, and more importantly, a Malaysian,
01:18 I've made it a priority to bridge the gap between East
01:21 and West Malaysia.
01:22 And in fact, this is the most important media event for me.
01:27 I'm always looking forward to announce this
01:31 during Chinese New Year or Hari Raya at the factory,
01:34 because I know there are thousands of Malaysians,
01:37 especially our fellow Sabahans and Sarawakians,
01:40 who are waiting for this announcement right now.
01:43 At the moment, we open for sales.
01:45 I'm sure a lot of people are logging in to our website
01:48 to purchase their seats.
01:52 Last month, the unity government for the first time
01:54 introduced a subsidized price cap of RM599
01:59 on flights between East and West Malaysia
02:02 during festive seasons for the whole year.
02:05 That means that price cap will not only
02:06 apply during the coming Chinese New Year,
02:09 but also Hari Raya at the factory, Kah Amatan, Kah Wai,
02:13 and Christmas.
02:15 Additionally, the government also
02:16 launched the flight-sales-well program,
02:19 offering a subsidy of RM300 for public universities,
02:22 for attending community colleges, teachers,
02:25 training colleges, and matriculation students
02:28 studying across the South China Sea
02:30 to purchase economy flight tickets home.
02:33 This initiative, in conjunction with Asia's Pesah support,
02:37 serve as a pioneering force in advancing
02:40 the welfare of our citizens.
02:42 I commend Asia's consistent dedication
02:45 to the government's initiative, particularly the fixed-flow fare
02:49 during festive seasons.
02:51 I just want to be very clear to the media
02:54 that the RM599 cap is a subsidized program
02:59 by the government for all flights,
03:02 for all normal flights, the regular frequency, which
03:07 have between Peninsular and Sabah Sarawak,
03:11 there are more than 300 flights just by Asia on a weekly basis.
03:16 But on top of that, what we are announcing today
03:20 is that a fixed fare, a much lower fixed fare,
03:25 in an initiative by Asia on their own initiative.
03:29 And I'm pleased to support that the support of the government's
03:32 efforts, Asia, beginning today, will be offering
03:35 one-way economic tickets and an all-fixed fare of RM298
03:40 to Sarawak and RM348 to Sabah for the Chinese New Year
03:45 period.
03:46 These fixed fare tickets are available for purchase
03:49 from today until 15 February 2024, or until in Sarawak.
03:53 But don't wait until the last minute.
03:55 I'm sure the next one or two days, a lot of people
03:59 will lock in.
04:01 The travel period for these fixed fare tickets
04:03 is from 5 February 2024 until 15 February 2024.
04:08 That is five days before the first day of Chinese New Year
04:12 and five days after the first day of Chinese New Year.
04:16 They will apply to routes between Kuala Lumpur
04:19 to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Kuching, Biri, Sibu,
04:24 and Bintulu.
04:26 Secondly, Johor Bahru to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sibu,
04:29 and Biri.
04:31 Kuching to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
04:34 Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru.
04:36 So this is a very important route because it
04:41 covers all the major airports and major cities
04:44 in both Sabah and Sarawak.
04:47 We applaud AirAsia for providing affordable options that
04:50 complement our efforts to manage the surge in demand
04:54 during festive seasons, ensuring that everyone
04:56 has the opportunity to return home to their loved ones.
05:00 Their commitment aligns seamlessly
05:02 with our broader goals to enhance the travel
05:04 experiences for Malaysians.
05:06 The synergy between the government and industry players,
05:09 as amplified by AirAsia's support,
05:12 is crucial for fostering a robust and dynamic aviation
05:15 sector.
05:17 You mentioned about the $599 subsidized airfare.
05:21 Just curious, how does the government
05:24 put in place the control to ensure that airlines doesn't
05:30 artificially hike the price and claim it from the government?
05:35 Thank you.
05:36 First of all, the government is very smart in spending money.
05:42 Don't underestimate our intelligence,
05:45 that you think that the airlines can easily
05:48 manipulate the prices.
05:50 No, it will not happen.
05:51 Because first of all, the pricing
05:54 are being monitored by MFKOM.
05:56 And we know exactly how many seats they are claiming.
06:01 And we have to make it very clear to them.
06:03 And in fact, I'd like to commend AirAsia.
06:05 They just give me the report.
06:07 And we know exactly each particular flight,
06:10 how many seats are sold at one price.
06:13 And you cannot just artificially increase the prices.
06:17 Because they have an algorithm, and they
06:19 have some pricing mechanism.
06:22 They cannot just hike the price and then claim from the
06:24 government.
06:25 No, it will not happen that way.
06:27 So a thorough process, a thorough audit
06:31 will be put in place to check all the claims.
06:35 And just to be very transparent, they just
06:38 submitted me the report.
06:40 Our initiative for the Christmas season, for three days,
06:44 22nd, 23rd, and 24th December, just on AirAsia alone,
06:48 has benefited 5,000 passengers on the subsidized prices.
06:54 So why only 5,000?
06:55 Because for those who purchased earlier,
06:59 they actually enjoy a much lower fares, below 599.
07:03 Why we put it at 599 is that we know
07:06 that when the demand is high, probably
07:11 in every single flight, the balance 10% or 20%,
07:16 or the final 10% to 20% passengers,
07:19 usually they have to pay a much higher fares.
07:22 So it can go up to 1,000 ringgit, even for AirAsia.
07:26 So we put a cap at 599 so that it will not
07:30 go beyond 600 ringgit.
07:31 599 will still be the fares, but they
07:33 have to top up a bit on BSC and other charges.
07:36 Their baggage and so on.
07:38 So 599 is the cap price.
07:41 So anything above 599, which is supposed
07:45 to be sold by the airlines, are being
07:47 subsidized by the government.
07:49 So they just gave me a report.
07:50 It benefited 5,000 passengers, who
07:53 are supposed to pay beyond 599.
07:55 But we kept it at 599, and the implication to the government
07:59 is 2 million ringgit.
08:01 So 2 million ringgit is about, average about 400 ringgit
08:05 subsidy for each passenger.
08:07 So that helped 5,000 more passengers
08:11 to enjoy at a lower rate, at 599.
08:13 So that is the initiative by the government.
08:16 We have thought through the process.
08:18 So whatever you thought, that the airlines can just
08:20 artificially increase the prices, no.
08:23 I mean, we have had a very, very thorough discussion
08:28 between our aviation division and Mavcom.
08:32 So we have thought through the whole mechanism,
08:34 and we come up with this.
08:36 So regarding the 599 base fare, because according
08:39 to the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016,
08:45 so one of the subsection two is airlines
08:49 should disclose the final fare of the airfare
08:52 but in their advertisement.
08:55 But most of the airlines, they are emphasized on the 599.
08:57 So it means that it's not the final fare.
08:59 So would it be misleading to the public?
09:02 Well, this is something that, of course,
09:04 we will continue to make improvement in terms of the--
09:13 but what is important is that the fare is 599,
09:16 but they have to stay not inclusive of charges.
09:20 But at the website, before they purchase,
09:24 they will know the actual prices before they pay.
09:27 And I have also spoken to the airlines.
09:30 I just mentioned to AirAsia that they also
09:32 have to disclose the actual price that they
09:35 are supposed to pay.
09:36 For example, that particular seat is, let's say,
09:38 it is up to 900 ringgit.
09:40 They have to put it at 900 ringgit.
09:43 But the subsidized fare by the government,
09:46 the difference are being paid by the taxpayers
09:49 through the Ministry of Transport.
09:51 That has to be highlighted.
09:52 So there will be some improvement
09:54 in terms of the pricing advertisement and mechanism
10:00 during the upcoming China Civil and Hari Raya initiative.
10:05 OK.
10:07 [END PLAYBACK]
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