AirAsia Fare Cap Benefits M40 Families

(Kuching, 9th) AirAsia recently announced that one-way flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak will be uniformly priced at RM328, and to Sabah at RM398. This move has sparked heated discussion among Sarawak residents. Many welcome the measure, seeing it as helpful in reducing the travel burden for festive homecomings, but some remind that such fares still pose challenges for certain families.
For many travelers, especially those from the M40 middle-income group, the fare cap provides much-needed certainty regarding airfares, which traditionally soar during festive periods such as the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya.

36-year-old Nur Mahfuzah Mataha said that compared to peak season airfares which can easily exceed RM1,000, fixed fares are relatively reasonable.
"As a member of the M40 group, I still need to carefully plan my festive travel expenses, but at least now the fares are more predictable," she said.
She added that knowing the fares in advance helps with better itinerary planning.
"With a fixed fare, I can arrange my leave, journey, and family gatherings with more confidence, without worrying about sudden price hikes or having to pay extra," she explained.
She also called for airlines to work with the government to increase flight frequencies during peak seasons and improve fare transparency.
"Providing more subsidies or incentives to local airlines can help maintain affordable fares. Additionally, improving facilities at small airports and streamlining check-in and security procedures can also make festive travel smoother," she said.

Similarly, 32-year-old Irma Coelho, who previously worked in the aviation industry, said that fixed fares will impact her travel planning.
"This allows me to budget more effectively. With a fixed price, I can plan and allocate my airfare expenses six months in advance, without worrying about price fluctuations," she said.
Irma also pointed out that checked baggage fees are high, especially for those returning home from West Malaysia and bringing gifts and local products, which poses a significant burden.
"If baggage fees could be reduced, it would provide great help during the festive period," she added.
However, not all responses were entirely positive.
35-year-old Nurul Farahain Kamaruzaman said that although fares are now capped, they could still pose a heavy burden for families with several children.

"Apart from airfare, there are other holiday expenditures like clothing and food preparation. For some people, opting for land travel might be more economical since fuel costs can be shared," she believes.
Nurul also suggested that providing subsidies or cash assistance to Sarawak and Sabah residents would help ease the burden, and airlines should maintain lower airfares during festive peaks.
This discussion reflects a broader concern among East Malaysians regarding festive travel costs, as airline tickets often surge due to increased demand.
Many residents welcome the fixed fares, saying it helps improve transparency and price certainty, but also call for more measures to make travel more affordable, especially for large families.
With the festive season approaching, travelers like Mahfuzah, Irma, and Nurul embody the dilemmas many face: weighing costs between convenience and comfort, and planning trips when flight options are limited and prices rise.