KUCHING: The Ministry of Transport will be meeting with airlines to discuss on flight frequencies and fares during school holidays and festive seasons.
Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin stated that the ministry requested for airlines to play their pivotal role to the people and government by offering more flight frequencies within and into Sarawak.
“This is to ensure that there are sufficient seats available and maintaining reasonable air fares,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
On another matter, Lee had called the chairman of Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) regarding the complaint of high air fare from Miri to Kuching which was reported in the local press.
“According to MAVCOM on MASwings price, MASwings does not adopt a Dynamic Pricing mechanism. The price is set at a certain ceiling due to Public Service Obligation as the fare is being subsidised by the federal government,” he explained.
On the recent aircraft incident of MYAirline direct flight between Miri and Kuala Lumpur which had to return to base twice due to technical problem, Lee was briefed by Miri Airport manager Jauhari Abdullah via telephone on March 14.
In both incidents, the aircraft landed safely at Miri Airport.
“I have also spoken to MYAirlines chief executive officer Rayner Teoh for clarification regarding the incidents and MYAirlines had since released their official comments on the matter.
“According to Teoh, the airline had served two meals at 15.12 pm for lunch and 20.30 pm for dinner to all the passengers. MYAirline had arranged rescue aircraft which arrived at 21.34 pm and leave for Kuala Lumpur International Airport2 (KLIA2) at 22.34 pm with 77 passengers.
“Meanwhile, 30 passengers were transferred via Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur and three passengers were provided hotel stay in Miri and took the next day flight,” he said.
