Domestic flight prices will be less expensive during the 15th general election (GE15) period, according to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
The average domestic fare for all airlines for trips within Peninsular Malaysia, according to Mavcom’s analysis of airfares from Nov. 16 to 20, is RM185 (US$39.02) for a one-way ticket.
The average ticket price during this period is RM296 for routes between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, and RM188 for routes inside East Malaysia.
The commission claimed that local domestic flight carriers have increased the number of GE15 flights, which will begin next month.
The move will encourage more people to vote, including students on a budget.
Malaysians will head for the polls on Nov.19.
“The planned additional flights include 45 flights from KL International Airport (KLIA) to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia. For flights from Subang, 30 additional flights are planned to selected locations within the peninsula.
“In addition, 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia,” the statement said.
Mavcom stated that Malaysia Airlines would use its wide-body aircraft to boost its passenger capacity to a few destinations on the peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak.
Mavcom, meanwhile, emphasised that the commission did not control airline fares; rather, airline operators set the prices.
Consumers had already expressed their displeasure on social media about how expensive it was to fly back to their hometowns to vote.
Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the election date, some online users complained that the cost of airline tickets had increased.
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