KUALA LUMPUR: It looks like airlines are raking it in big time as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays approach and people start making arrangements for balik kampung.
Tickets for domestic destinations are being sold at three to four times the normal rates during this period, leaving many infuriated travelers accusing airlines of resorting to profiteering.
This has led to people venting their anger and frustration on social media, including through Facebook postings.
A public relations consultant, who only wished to be known as Joan Dee, said she wanted to book return flight tickets from here to Alor Star and was shocked to learn that the prices ranged from RM700 to almost RM800 for a return trip between July 16 and July 20.
She shared print screenshots of the fare prices she obtained from the websites of several airlines yesterday.
“Can AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo and Firefly explain to me why they are charging so much for the Raya holidays? RM800, RM700, RM750and RM900 for me to go back to Alor Star, which is an hour by flight.”
She said flight tickets to Alor Star normally cost between RM200 and RM300 for a return trip.
“The fares are just too expensive,” she said.
Another New Straits Times reader asked how the flight rates were regulated between the normal and peak periods.
“We understand that during peak periods, some services are more expensive.
“However, there must be some kind of ceiling or limitation on how much the prices can be raised,” the self-employed 24-year-old, who wished to be known as Dzivani said.