‘Year-end travels spoiled by high airfares’
by Aliah Abdullah · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 15): As the year draws to a close and the festive season begins, many are already rushing to finalise travel plans.
In this regard, airports across the country are bracing for the annual surge in travellers eager to make the most of the year-end holidays.
Still, many travellers admit that soaring airfares have forced them to reconsider their plans, even with the festive reunions and long-awaited breaks continuing to fuel demands for flights.
For Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus marketing personnel Meera Lisa, who is originally from Serian but currently resides in Kuching, she usually avoids travelling during the busy seasons, but this year is an exception.
“Time is really the main factor when choosing to travel by plane,” she said, adding that air travel would allow her to maximise her limited leave and enjoy her trip with less pressure.
She also said despite the higher cost, she cared more about the value of gaining peace of mind after a demanding year.
Echoing similar sentiments, Nur Sabrina Shamsul said flying remained a preferred option at year-end as it could help her avoid long travel hours, especially when returning to her hometown Bintulu.
Nonetheless, she acknowledged that high airfare would often force travellers to make tough choices.
“Sometimes you end up missing out on family gatherings, or opting for other transportation options just to save money,” said Nur Sabrina, who works in Kuala Lumpur and travels frequently.
Nur Sabrina added that that early booking and flexible travelling dates could make a significant difference.
“I usually plan my travelling dates ahead of time to secure cheaper fares, and I compare prices on online platforms such as Trip.com, Skyscanner, and Agoda.”
Not everyone, however, could afford such flexibility or had the financial means to adjust their plans as easily.
English tutor and volunteer Aisyah Adam from Kuching said escalating flight prices had restricted how often she and her family could travel, particularly during the peak seasons.
“I haven’t been travelling much over the past few years due to many life demands and, undeniably, the rather-pricey flight tickets, especially at the end of the year when school holidays, Christmas and vacation periods overlap,” she said.
In this regard, Aisyah acknowledged that careful budgeting and comparing prices across multiple platforms had become essential parts of travel planning.
For students like Ahmad Muttaqyn Amynuddyn Amir Hamzah, the impact of rising airfares is even more pronounced.
Now studying in Surabaya, he said financial limitations would often force him to postpone trips back to his hometown Bintulu.
“As a student, my budget is limited, so higher flight prices really affect my decisions,” said the youth, noting that he would only travel during peak periods if the trip was really necessary or meaningful.
“If it’s important like visiting family, I would travel even if the airfare was higher; otherwise, I’d prefer to wait for a ‘cheaper season’,” he said.
Despite the different circumstances, all four respondents agreed that higher year-end airfares were inevitable due to increased demands and rising operational costs faced by the operating airlines.