SEPANG: The Transport Ministry has instructed airlines to increase flight frequencies to combat high ticket prices, which usually soar each festive season.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this could ensure a balanced supply and demand (for tickets) and reduce dynamic pricing.
He said the issue of high ticket prices due to dynamic pricing has been a long-standing grouse, particularly for those travelling to and from Sabah and Sarawak.
"There should be no excuse for companies to refuse this measure, which could potentially help reduce or maintain ticket prices," he told reporters after a working visit to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) here today.
He said CAAM has given its commitment that it would extend the operating hours of airports and air traffic control towers, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, to beef up the efforts.
"The operating hours are currently from 10am to about 11pm.
"CAAM is committed to extending the operating hours to a week before and after Chinese New Year as well as other festive celebrations.
"The ministry will also monitor airline companies that regularly delay flights," he said.
Meanwhile, Loke said the aviation industry will see a much-needed improvement in terms of flight time with the implementation of new systems next year.
He said that introduction of the Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Instrument Arrivals (STARs) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of air control.
SID is a standard identified route in an instrument departure procedure by which aircraft should proceed from the take-off phase to the en-route phase.
STAR is an air traffic control (ATC)-coded IFR arrival route established for application to arriving IFR aircraft destined for certain airports.
"This will help shorten the landing time and also save fuel consumption which can decrease operational costs for companies.
"It is estimated to be able to save some RM500 million per year for KLIA.
"Not only this will help the aviation sector, it can also help us reduce carbon emission," he said.
Loke said that with this initiative, passengers will also be able to travel effectively in a shorter time.