Malaysian Airlines will be resuming domestic and international flights as the easing of the lockdown in the country sees more sectors opening up. This would mean Malaysians can now travel or even start planning for their vacation, however there is some concern among the public on possible higher ticket prices, a genuine worry as flights will predominantly be less crowded.
In a recent release, MAS claimed to have increased its number of domestic flights this could be due to the pent up demand it is expecting as many would definitely be wishing to return to their hometown. The national carrier has not been totally shutdown during MCO, it has been operating under minimal flights flying students and citizens back to the country from various destination. Now with the resumption of travel, MAS is seeking to capitalise on the surge in commercial travel once again.
The return of flying will never be the same, with SOP’s limiting the number of passengers per flight, additional equipment’s for the plane including PPE for crew, the cost of operation for airlines just got higher. In the past oil price impacted cost, now various aspects need to be considered, what is clear is travelers should be prepared for increased ticket pricing. Other airlines which have started flight have already increased their domestic ticket prices, Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has taken note of this and lamented on the hike in airfare to East Malaysia. The Minister will be taking this up with the relevant parties.
Complaints of price hike is not only in the airline sector, there has been reports and even outright calls by business owners of salons and restaurant to increase their service charges on the back of the long lockdown. Airlines have lost billions during the last 4 months and will continue to lose until travel really picks. National carries like MAS can look to the Government for support and keep the ticket prices low if instructed, its the private run operators like AirAsia who will be finding it difficult to navigate through these tough times.
