29th January 2026 - 3 min read
Batik Air has introduced fixed airfares for Chinese New Year, offering one-way tickets from KLIA or Subang to Kuching for RM318 and to Kota Kinabalu for RM378. The fares apply for travel between February 13 and 16 and are part of efforts to keep festive travel costs more predictable.
The airline plans to extend similar fixed pricing for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, complementing existing government fare caps and subsidy measures for flights to East Malaysia.
The fixed fares are offered under Batik Air’s “Fixed Fares for Your Reunion” campaign. By setting prices in advance for peak travel days, the airline aims to give travellers greater certainty when planning festive trips.
This approach helps reduce last-minute price fluctuations, especially during periods of high demand.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government has urged airlines to increase flight capacity and introduce price controls during festive seasons. This includes major celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Gawai, Kaamatan, and Christmas.
He noted that some routes experience particularly strong festive demand. The Johor Bahru to Sibu route, for example, sees heavy traffic during Chinese New Year, as Sibu serves as a key gateway to central Sarawak. Airlines have been encouraged to add extra flights on this route, even when it is outside their regular schedules.
The fixed fares offered by Batik Air align with the government’s policy to cap festive season airfares from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak at RM499 before taxes. This policy has been in place for the past two years.
According to Loke, the cap has helped prevent extreme price spikes. Reports of fares exceeding RM1,000 during festive periods have eased since the policy was introduced.
When base fares exceed the RM499 ceiling, the government subsidises the difference paid to airlines. This intervention applies for three days before major festive dates, which typically represent the period of highest demand.
The subsidy scheme costs the government more than RM20 million annually and is therefore limited to one-way flights from the Peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak.
Flights from Sabah and Sarawak back to the Peninsula are not subject to the ceiling price. The government’s view is that travellers on return journeys generally have more flexibility to plan their travel dates and manage costs.
This targeted approach focuses public spending on routes and periods where price pressures are most acute.
Demand for flights to East Malaysia remains high during festive seasons, particularly to destinations such as Sibu, which also serves nearby areas including Sarikei and Kapit.
To accommodate this demand, airlines have been encouraged to operate additional flights on high-traffic routes, including services that are not part of their normal schedules.
For travellers, fixed fares and government-backed price caps provide greater certainty when booking festive flights. Knowing that base fares are capped, and that some airlines offer fixed pricing, allows households to plan travel earlier and manage overall holiday spending more effectively.
While taxes and ancillary charges still apply, these measures help reduce sudden price surges, making festive travel more accessible for families returning home during peak periods.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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