KUALA LUMPUR: Air ticket prices for the 15th General Election period have mostly decreased from the initial spike following polling day's announcement last week.
The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) said this was based on their latest observation on Oct 25.
Its executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said further analysis by the commission found that there was a small percentage of routes that have airfares higher than the average.
"The commission, therefore, urges airlines to induce more capacity on these routes during the GE15 travel period as demands will likely increase approaching the Nov 19 polling date.
"Moreover, Mavcom has requested that airlines increase capacity on its operating routes during the GE15 travelling dates to ensure that enough flights are available for various domestic destinations at an affordable price," the commission said in a statement today.
The report comes following Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong telling the public last week that the commission would be looking into the skyrocketing price of tickets following the Election Commission's announcement on polling date and other crucial dates related to the polls.
Saripuddin said it was cognisant of the increase in airline capacity that had been planned and submitted to it might vary close to the GE as it depended on operational factors and overall market demand.
"However, the commission is closely monitoring the developments to ensure that enough seats are available at affordable prices to meet demand."
The commission also stressed that airfare is currently not regulated and that it is determined by the respective airlines in line with the government's decision to rationalise the domestic air services sector in 2006.
It however reiterated that voting during General Election is an important civic responsibility that should be upheld.
"Therefore, airlines are encouraged to take on a bigger role in keeping prices affordable and to aid their fellow Malaysians to fulfil their civic duty that impacts the future of our nation.
"Mavcom will continue to work closely with the Transport Ministry and local airlines and is committed to ensuring that consumers are able to return home to cast their democratic rights with ease."
The commission noted that all scheduled airlines have planned additional flights for GE15 beginning next month.
The planned additional flights include 45 flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia.
For flights from Subang, 30 additional flights are planned to selected locations within Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, 68 extra flights have been planned for flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines is planning to increase capacity to key destinations in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia by utilising the Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft.
There are also additional flights planned to selected destinations within East Malaysia under the Rural Air Services programme, as well as five planned additional flights between Subang and Seletar, Singapore.