My comments on the recent public’s response to the tickets prices by AirBorneo which had been launched the few days. I have urged our local folks to give Sarawak's new state-owned airline some time to adjust its fares after taking over from MASwings Sdn Bhd. The ticket prices were just launched and we called for the people to exercise patience and understanding during this initial period. The aircrafts have mot even started flying, and people are already complaining. “Give it a chance” I have said to our media friends in responding to the public’s dissatisfaction with high airfares on Airborneo's newly launched website.
Sarawak-owned airline AirBorneo has begun selling flight tickets following the recent launch of its official website on December 10. Travels on AirBorneo are available from January 14 next year, marking a key milestone in Sarawak’s anticipated entry into Malaysia’s commercial aviation. AirBorneo's initial network will focus on domestic routes within Sarawak and Sabah. Presently the routes are currently operated using turboprop aeroplanes under the Rural Air Services (RAS) framework.
The negative reactions to AirBorneo’s newly-announced launch fares are premature in nature as our airline has yet to begin operations officially. I have also stressed that the ticket prices must remain sustainable for the airline to operate. The planes have not even taken off yet and people are already complaining. Give it a chance.
Our media friends are keen to my response to the complaints from travellers and industry players, who felt the fares were too high and needed reviewing to better support domestic mobility and tourism growth. I have mentioned that fare-setting in the aviation industry involves multiple considerations and cannot be lowered excessively at the expense of operational viability.
There is no point to bring down the fare right up to the minimum until AirBorneo so called unable to operate. There has to be a balance. The pricing also needed to consider the wider aviation ecosystem and ensure that AirBorneo’s rates do not unintentionally drive away other airlines serving Sarawak. We have to balance it out with our fellow airlines. If we lower it to the point that other airlines run away and no longer want to come to Sarawak, it will be a loss. When everybody wants to use AirBorneo then the one who will suffer will be us too.
There had been online complaints regarding routes such as Sibu–Kota Kinabalu and Sibu–Kuching, where some travellers felt fares of over RM200 were “too high” but in real life perceptions of affordability differ among passengers. What is the ideal price? Is it RM100? RM200? RM250? It depends. To some, RM200-plus might be okay. To others, it might not be okay. It’s very difficult to satisfy everybody.
I have reiterated that public judgement over whether the fares are low or high remains “very, very subjective”, adding that affordability varies between income groups.
That is why I say whether the fare is low or not is very, very subjective. For businessmen, RM250, that is peanuts to them. Maybe for farmers, RM250 might not be. Our public should be patient and to allow the system time to stabilise. Let us wait for the system to settle, the plane to be there, then after a while the price will get adjusted by itself.
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