Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that flight tickets for the Chinese New Year festive season in 2023 are already available for sale, and urged travellers to book their flights early. This is so they can avoid having to purchase expensive tickets at a later date.

According to the minister, the price of these tickets currently range between RM300 to RM400. “People should buy early if they have plans to go home. Otherwise, any later or last-minute purchase will result in high ticket prices. This is because all flight tickets are determined through dynamic pricing mechanisms,” he added.

Aside from that, Dr Wee also commented on the issue of expensive flight tickets during the current Hari Raya festive season. He cited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis as a key factor for the price hike as the war has affected global oil prices. This, in turn, influenced flight ticket prices for all domestic and international flights.

To illustrate his point, Dr Wee said that a flight ticket to China previously cost only several thousands of ringgit. At present, however, the price of such tickets has increased to tens of thousands of ringgit. “It’s not to say they do this deliberately, but it was due to the increased oil prices. And we have to consider the demand too,” he said, adding that he has tasked the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) to monitor the prices.

Finally, Dr Wee urged all public transport operators – including airlines, trains, and buses – to put in place an integrated approach, where they come up with additional routes during peak seasons. This is to ensure that the high demand for travel from the public during these periods can be adequately met.

(Source: The Star)

• TAGS:
• Chinese New Year
• Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong
• Flight Tickets
• Mavcom
• Russia-Ukraine Crisis