Transport Minister Urges Airlines to Reduce Fees & Increase Flight Frequencies With Relaxed SOPs

With the country going into the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), Malaysia Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong urges airlines to reduce their airfares and to increase more flight frequencies.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, flight tickets fees have skyrocketed and made it difficult for many to afford to fly. This can be seen with the recent soaring of plane tickets fees from Kuala Lumpur to East Malaysia.

According to Wee’s Facebook post, a meeting held with the chairperson of Mavcom (Malaysian Aviation Commission) Datuk Seri Haji Saripuddin and other committee members of Mavcom on 22 June 2020 was to discuss the revitalisation of Malaysia’s aviation industry.

Other than that, another meeting was held between the three biggest air flight companies of Malaysia – AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo – and the Ministry of Transport on 11 June on airfare matters.

“Airlines must now begin to reduce their airfares and increase flight frequencies in line with the relaxation of social distancing rules for scheduled and non-scheduled passenger flights,” said Wee.

The government was informed that airlines actually determine the airfares via dynamic pricing mechanism based on market-driven demand and supply factors.

The timing of purchase also affects the price of the plane tickets. For instance, the closer plane tickets are purchased to the departure date, the more expensive the tickets will be.

“Moving forward, the Government has reminded the airlines to set reasonable price levels that would not unduly burden air travelers for work or otherwise, during this time of national recovery from the pandemic.” he added.

Besides, social distancing is no longer compulsory for scheduled passengers who have already passed security checks and are lining up at boarding gates.

To allow assistance to be given to the elderly and people with disabilities when mandatory, Wee said that “Meeters and greeters of arriving air passengers are now allowed into the terminal.”

However, the government still stressed on the significance for the public to comply with the SOPs and guidelines like health screening and temperature checks. The use of face masks and hand sanitizer must also be used in airport terminals.

No matter where you go, please remember that hygienic guidelines and government SOPs must always be followed during this time of need!

Also Read: AirAsia: More Flights to Langkawi, Kuching, Penang & KK, July Onwards