Negative reactions to AirBorneo’s newly unveiled launch fares are premature, as the airline has yet to begin operations, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
Speaking at a press conference, he stressed that airfares must remain sustainable if the new airline is to operate effectively.
“The planes have not even taken off yet and people are already complaining. Give it a chance,” he said, responding to criticism from travellers and industry players who felt the introductory fares were too high and needed reviewing to support domestic mobility and tourism.
Abdul Karim noted that setting fares in the aviation industry involves multiple factors and cannot be done at levels that jeopardise operational viability.
“There is no point bringing down the fare to the minimum until AirBorneo ‘sik terkabei’ (is unable) to operate. There has to be a balance,” he said.
He added that AirBorneo’s pricing must also consider the wider aviation ecosystem to avoid unintentionally driving away other airlines serving Sarawak.
“If we lower it to the point that other airlines run away and no longer want to come to Sarawak, it will be a loss. Everybody will want to use AirBorneo, then we will suffer,” he said.
Commenting on complaints about routes such as Sibu–Kota Kinabalu and Sibu–Kuching—where fares exceeding RM200 were labelled “too high”—Abdul Karim said affordability varies among passengers.
“What is the ideal price? RM100? RM200? RM250? It depends. To some, RM200-plus might be okay. To others, it might not be. It’s very difficult to satisfy everybody,” he said.
He also compared airfares to the cost of travelling by road.
“If we travel from Sibu to Kuching, driving costs around RM50 in fuel, and it takes five hours. By air it’s half an hour, so naturally you pay a little bit extra,” he said.
Abdul Karim reiterated that whether a fare is high or low is subjective and differs across income groups.
“For businessmen, RM250 is peanuts. For farmers, maybe not,” he said.
He urged the public to be patient and allow the airline time to stabilise.
“Wait for the system to settle, the planes to be there. After some time, the price will adjust by itself,” he said.
