The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has announced the continuation of subsidies for one-way flight tickets from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan during major festive seasons. This initiative will cover Christmas celebrations this year and extend into 2025 for key festivals, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Gawai, and Christmas once again.
According to MOT’s statement, passengers traveling on domestic routes connecting Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan will benefit from subsidies for tickets priced above RM499, excluding taxes and fees. This also marks a reduction in the maximum ticket price from the previous cap of RM599. The ministry says the government will absorb the cost difference, ensuring more affordable travel during the festive periods.
To accommodate demand, the implementation period for the subsidised fares has been extended to four days before the festive dates. For the upcoming Christmas season, the subsidy will apply from 21 to 24 December 2024. Similar provisions will be made for Chinese New Year (25 to 28 January 2025), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (27 to 30 March 2025), Kaamatan (26 to 29 May 2025), and Gawai (28 to 31 May 2025). The MOT confirmed that fixed fare prices will come into effect from 12:01 am on 6 December 2024, and tickets will be available through airline websites.
The ministry notes that there are terms and conditions for the initiative. Specifically, passengers will not be allowed to change flight dates or schedules, nor will name changes or refunds be permitted for purchased tickets. Additionally, while certain airlines might offer slight variations in terms and conditions, all users remain protected under the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC).
On a related note, low-cost carrier AirAsia recently introduced 27,000 fixed one-way fare tickets from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak for Chinese New Year 2025. The promo is offering all-in fares of RM328 for flights to destinations like Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, and RM388 for routes to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau.
According to the airline, these fares cover passenger service and regulatory charges but exclude add-ons like checked luggage, seat selection, and meals. The promotion is valid for selected late-night flights booked between 3 December 2024 and 4 February 2025, for travel between 24 January and 4 February 2025. AirAsia will operate nearly 3,600 flights weekly during this festive period.
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