KUCHING: Sarawak has welcomed the reduction in airfares to the state for the festive season following proactive measures by aviation authorities and airlines.

       State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the federal Transport Ministry had held discussions with airlines, the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to address the issue of high fares.

       "I was informed that the Prime Minister also took this matter seriously. As a result of the discussions, the Transport Minister has issued a statement saying that airfares have come down based on observations by Mavcom on April 16," he told reporters at a buka puasa event for the media hosted by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian here on Monday (April 18).

       Earlier Monday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said in a statement that one-way economy fares for Hari Raya Aidilfitri during the monitoring period from April 27 to May 8 ranged from RM105 to RM1,398.

       For the peak period from April 29 to May 1, the one-way fare is between RM195 and RM1,398.

       Dr Wee also said the majority of one-way economy-class airfares for all routes to Sabah and Sarawak during the monitoring period were between RM300 and RM500.

       "I would like to express my appreciation to the federal Transport Minister, the agencies under him and also the Prime Minister for resolving this issue," Lee said.

       He also advised those who planned to fly home for the festive occasion to book their tickets early.

       "Don't wait until the last minute as the ticketing system uses dynamic pricing based on supply and demand.

       "The earlier you book, the lower the airfare is likely to be," he said, adding that his ministry would continue to monitor the situation.