KUCHING: Sarawak's Transport Ministry has asked airlines to submit applications for extra flights to cater for the high demand in the coming Chinese New Year celebration.

       State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the applications would be considered by the state disaster management committee for approval.

       "For the time being, airlines are reminded not to increase their airfares," he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 6).

       Lee also said more people and goods were expected to move across Sarawak now that the state has moved into Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       He said the ministry would engage with relevant associations and business chambers to assist and resolve transport-related issues on the ground.

       "Alongside interstate travel, we are expecting more economic sectors to open with higher movement of people and goods," he said.

       In addition, he said the state Transport Ministry planned to visit its Federal counterpart and other transport-related agencies in Kuala Lumpur to establish strong ties.

       "We hope that through this meeting, the state and Federal stakeholders will get to know each other better.

       "This is vital to facilitate and resolve issues related to the transport industry in Sarawak," he said.

       Meanwhile, Lee said Scoot Tigerair's inaugural Singapore-Miri direct flight scheduled for Jan 19 could be pushed to a later date.

       He said this was because the airline was still working out some matters with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.