BERA: Airlines should not be making excessive profits by raising ticket prices to Sabah and Sarawak during the festive season, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister noted media reports indicating air fares to both the states had increased by up to 500% and described this as “extreme” because people had no alternatives other than to fly.

       Ismail Sabri said he has asked Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi to investigate any violation under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 in the ticket price increase.

       “The ministry must be firm against any party, no matter how big or small, that makes excessive profits under the law. Immediate action must be taken to safeguard the interests of the people.

       “We will not allow traders to take advantage of the festive season or fasting (month) to pressure the people,” he said during his speech at the opening of a cooperative supermarket here yesterday.

       Ismail Sabri said he had also asked Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to resolve the matter with the airlines and that a meeting had been held with the parties involved.

       Recent reports of soaring airfares for flights to Sabah and Sarawak, which had increased up to RM2,000 compared to the usual price of about RM300, had raised concerns.

       However, Utusan Malaysia reported that flight ticket prices, especially to Sabah, went down following an investigation by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).

       The daily on Friday reported flight tickets were 20 times higher than usual prices.

       Checks by the newspaper on Saturday found prices from April 30 until May 2 had dropped significantly.

       AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Tawau on May 1 cost between RM579 and RM990, RM449 and RM519 on May 2 and RM319 and RM469 on May 3.

       Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu for the same period are now between RM359 and RM939 (May 1), RM259 and RM559 (May 2) and RM259 and RM319 (May 3).

       Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines also showed a decrease in prices to both destinations.

       Tickets to Tawau cost between RM537 and RM2,471, as compared to its previous pricing of between RM1,892 and RM3,781.36.

       Ticket prices to Kota Kinabalu via MAS are between RM523 and RM2,118 depending on the class and schedule.

       AirAsia tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching are between RM159 and RM269 as compared to over RM300 on Saturday.

       Those who opted for MAS will be charged between RM249 and RM450 for the less than an hour and a half flight.

       Meanwhile, tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru are the cheapest with prices ranging between RM59 and RM99 (AirAsia) and RM161 and RM418 (MAS).

       However, prices are not fixed and could change at any time.

       AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang from April 30 until May 2 are cheaper with tickets ranging from RM79 to RM150, and from RM106 to RM330 for MAS.

       Flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru start from RM119 to RM369. Tickets to this destination were reported to have shot up to more than RM800 a few days ago.