Airlines are adding capacity and introducing capped fares to help manage travel costs during the upcoming Chinese New Year period, particularly for routes between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

Malaysia Aviation Group and AirAsia have both announced festive travel initiatives aimed at giving passengers more flight options and greater price certainty during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

MAG Adds Extra Flights And Caps Festive Fares

Malaysia Aviation Group will operate more than 2,400 flights through Malaysia Airlines and Firefly during the Chinese New Year travel period, including 198 additional services added to meet higher demand.

Malaysia Airlines will operate up to 1,498 flights between 11 and 23 February, while Firefly will operate up to 962 flights over the same period. The expanded schedule focuses on key domestic routes linking Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.

During the peak travel window from 13 to 16 February, both airlines will offer all-in, one-way subsidised fares from Kuala Lumpur to selected East Malaysia destinations.

Malaysia Airlines has capped fares at RM569 for routes to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Labuan, Kuching, Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu. Firefly is offering subsidised fares of up to RM548 for selected routes, including Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Kuching, and Sibu.

For travellers booking closer to departure dates, these capped fares may help reduce the impact of festive price increases.

AirAsia Introduces Fixed Fares For East Malaysia Routes

Recently, AirAsia also launched its annual fixed fare initiative for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, covering the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri travel periods.

Under the scheme, all-in, one-way fares from Kuala Lumpur are fixed at RM328 for selected Sarawak destinations and RM398 for selected Sabah routes. The fixed fares are already in effect and apply to selected flights, subject to seat availability.

For Chinese New Year, bookings are open until 24 February, with travel dates running from 13 to 24 February.

What This Means For Travellers

For consumers planning festive travel, the combination of capped fares, fixed-price tickets, and additional flights provides more certainty when managing travel budgets. Travellers heading between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia may benefit from booking early to secure subsidised or fixed fares before limited seats are taken.

As Chinese New Year approaches, comparing fare caps, travel dates, and seat availability across airlines may help travellers make more cost-effective decisions for their holiday plans.

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