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KAJANG: The Government has set a maximum price cap of RM499 for one-way economy class flight tickets from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak for three days preceding the Kaamatan and Hari Gawai festivals.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Government will subsidise the difference between the actual market price set by airlines and the capped fare.

“It is now standard for festive season flights to Sabah and Sarawak to be capped at RM499.

“This is not borne by the airlines, as the Government has to pay a top-up to the airline companies to ensure they only charge a maximum of RM499 for those three days before the festivals.

“The subsidy provided by the Ministry will increase because if, for instance, a ticket is priced at RM1,000, the maximum price a traveller pays is RM499. The Government will then subsidise the remaining RM501 to the airline,” he told reporters after visiting Carro Technology Sdn Bhd’s Kajang vehicle inspection centre, here, Tuesday.

He said the capped rate only applies to one-way travel to East Malaysia before the celebrations, as return travel dates are usually spread out and do not experience the same peak demand.

Kaamatan is celebrated annually on May 30 and May 31 in Sabah, while Hari Gawai is celebrated on June 1 and June 2 in Sarawak.