PETALING JAYA: Airline ticket prices have come down by 30% after the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) agreed to a compromise for the festive season.

       Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak said, however, that Mavcom would come out with an official statement detailing the new rates in the near future.

       "There are some who say ticket prices increased by more than 70% but we have managed to lower the rates including the rates today (Monday, April 18).

       "This is because we have increased the frequency of flights by redeployment of planes (with a focus on) the festive season," he told reporters after sending Express Rail Link (ERL) personnel to the AlMashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line to support the Haj season at KL Sentral.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob reminded airline operators on Sunday (April 17) not to reap large profits by increasing ticket airfares to Sabah and Sarawak during the festive season.

       The issue has become a hot topic with reports that some airlines had increased the return fare to Sabah or Sarawak from RM300 to RM2,000.

       On the creation of the National Rail Centre of Excellence, Isham said it could be approved by the end of the year.

       He said the centre could address matters on a lack of expertise in the national rail industry, allowing the nation to develop its knowledge and capabilities in the sector.