Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook is anticipating a surge of tens of thousands of passengers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2 from Saturday until the eve of Aidilfitri. The peak travel period for passengers heading back to their hometowns via air travel is expected to start on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. Many individuals have taken time off for the Aidilfitri celebrations scheduled for April 10,” Loke mentioned.
Due to the high demand, Loke highlighted that Saturday and Sunday are likely to be the busiest days as most passengers have planned their leave strategically. Flights are already at full capacity until April 9. Loke shared these details after observing the departure of the first fixed-rate late-night AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Miri at KLIA2 on Friday.
All three airlines – AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Batik Air have experienced significant demand with fully-booked flights for the past three weeks, particularly on routes from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur to Tawau. Loke also praised the efforts of aviation sector workers, including technicians, for their dedication and sacrifice during this period of increased travel.
Underlining the benefits of AirAsia’s late-night flight initiative, Loke mentioned that around 22,000 passengers to Sarawak will enjoy a fixed fare of RM298 one way, while the fare for Sabah is set at RM348. A total of 122 AirAsia late-night flights will operate from Friday until April 14, aiming to ensure ample flights for the Aidilfitri celebrations and provide passengers with affordable options.
AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Bo Lingam expressed that the additional late-night flights reflect the airline’s commitment to offering affordable fares, especially during festive periods like Aidilfitri. Lingam highlighted that the Aidilfitri season is one of the busiest times for AirAsia, with over 500 daily flights departing from all AirAsia hubs. He expects an influx of 75,000 passengers across all AirAsia hubs starting from Saturday, with 40,000 passengers at KLIA Terminal 2. – Bernama
