State transport minister Lee Kim Shin said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had approved a frequency of 619 weekly flights to the state.

“The main objective is to provide more flights to facilitate the seamless movement of people and cargo with the opening of our borders on April 1.

“With the increase in flight frequency, airlines are expected to offer reasonable flight fares to passengers, especially with the upcoming major celebrations in Sarawak, namely Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak,” Lim said in a statement today.

He added that many Sarawakians working in Peninsular Malaysia were expected to return home to celebrate with their families.

“We trust that the airlines will play their pivotal role in facilitating the movement of people and goods at reasonable rates to reciprocate SDMC’s decision to approve a higher frequency of flights into Sarawak.”

His statement follows reports of sky-high fares for flights to East Malaysia for the festive period.

Prior to the festive season, airlines provided return flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching at prices up to RM300.

However, with the approaching April 29 to May 8 festive period, airline websites now show prices skyrocketing up to RM2,000 for a return flight, which is an increase of 566%.

Meanwhile, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor urged Putrajaya to address the same issue for domestic flights serving the state’s routes.

“Whether it is for work or leisure, the high airfares have become a burden for individuals and families,” he said, after chairing the state Cabinet meeting today.

“With the soaring price of air tickets, many Sabahans working or studying in the peninsula will not be able to return home simply because they cannot afford it.”

On Nov 27 last year, law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told airline companies to resolve the issue of high ticket prices to Sabah and Sarawak, especially during the year-end holidays and festive seasons.