Airfare to Sabah Capped at RM499 During Kaamatan Season

Good news for Sabahans travelling home for the Kaamatan celebrations — the federal government has stepped in to make flights more affordable by capping one-way airfares from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak at RM499.

The price ceiling covers the three days leading up to the Kaamatan and Gawai festivals, a period when ticket prices have historically spiked due to high demand. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook confirmed that any difference between the capped fare and the actual ticket price will be absorbed by the government through subsidies — meaning airlines are compensated, not penalised.

To put it in perspective, some fares during peak festive periods had climbed close to RM1,000 one-way. Under this scheme, passengers only pay RM499 regardless, with the government topping up the rest directly to the airlines.

The minister cited rising jet fuel costs and global energy market volatility as key reasons behind the higher operating costs airlines face during peak seasons.

To further ease the travel rush, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly added 62 extra flights covering key routes including Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Labuan, Kuching, Sibu, and Miri throughout the festive travel window.

For the many Sabahans living and working across the peninsula, this initiative means one less barrier to coming home and celebrating Kaamatan with family — exactly what the season is all about.