Labuan-KK airfare soars to RM1,207, surpassing flights to Seoul, Bangkok
Published on: Thu, Jun 26, 2025
By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. LABUAN: Residents and frequent travellers from this duty-free island are voicing growing frustration over skyrocketing airfares for the short Labuan–Kota Kinabalu route, with prices now outpacing even international flights to destinations such as Bangkok and Seoul. For many in Labuan, air travel is not a luxury but a necessity, yet tickets for the roughly 35-minute domestic flight are being sold at rates as high as RM1,207 for a one-way trip on July 2. By comparison, longer international flights from Kota Kinabalu to Bangkok, which take about three hours, start at RM411, while flights to Seoul, a journey of over five hours, are priced from RM661. David Lee, 49, who frequently travels between the two locations for oil and gas business, told Bernama the fares were 'absurd' and 'unacceptable'. 'I was planning my usual trip to Kota Kinabalu for a meeting and was shocked to see fares exceeding RM1,200. How can a flight under one hour cost more than an international trip to Korea?' he said. Another traveller, Nurul Shafiqah Abdullah, 34, a government officer based in Labuan, said such fare hikes were putting a strain on those who rely on the route for essential reasons. 'This isn't a holiday route. It's a lifeline for many who depend on travelling for medical check-ups, work commitments or family matters. These prices are pushing people to the edge,' she said. For Raymond Chong, 41, who runs a logistics company, the limited choice of carriers only adds to the frustration. 'It's either MasWings or Malaysia Airlines, sometimes small planes, sometimes a Boeing. There's no real competition, so you either pay or don't go,' he said. Local entrepreneur Faridah Musa, 45, urged the federal government and aviation authorities to address the pricing mechanism, calling the issue more than just a travel inconvenience. 'We are an island with no road access. Flights are essential, not optional. At this point, it's not just an inconvenience, it's an economic disadvantage for us.' She said calls are mounting for transparency in fare structures and for greater efforts to introduce more airline competition to ensure affordable travel for the people of Labuan. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Sees ASEAN As Strategic Growth Region Amid Global Challenges
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 ( Bernama) — Malaysia views ASEAN as a region with vast untapped potential -- poised to become a dynamic engine of growth and resilience amid global uncertainties, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). MITI Deputy Secretary General (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa said ASEAN is more than just a large market, it is a reservoir of innovation, creativity and energy with a population nearing 700 million, almost one third of whom are youth. 'Our demographic dividend, coupled with a rapidly growing consumer class, rising connectivity and accelerating digital adoption, gives ASEAN a unique advantage. 'If nurtured in accordance with the principles of sustainability and inclusivity, these strengths will not only fortify our region's growth but also position ASEAN to play a defining role in shaping the future of the global economy,' she said in her speech at the welcome dinner for the Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (SEOM) 3/56 and Related Meetings today. Under the ASEAN chairmanship, Mastura said Malaysia is working to deepen regional integration, strengthen supply chain resilience, foster sustainable and responsible investment and advance digital innovation. 'More importantly, we are committed to creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes, especially micro, small and medium enterprises to participate meaningfully in ASEAN's growth story,' she added. In a separate statement, MITI said key discussions at SEOM 3/56 focused on Malaysia's Priority Economic Deliverables under its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship; updates on the 2025 Annual Priorities under the AEM/SEOM purview; implementation of ASEAN agreements; advancement of the Digital Economy Framework Agreemen; and ASEAN's sustainability agenda, including carbon neutrality, circular economy, and the ASEAN Power Grid. MITI is hosting the SEOM 3/56 and Related Meetings from Aug 18 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur. The ministry said that discussions with ASEAN Dialogue Partners focused on reviewing progress and addressing key issues related to the implementation of existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), as well as the status of work plans and ongoing economic cooperation initiatives.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
Health Issues No Obstacle To Nurul Allyssa Winning Minister's Special Award
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Despite facing health problems that kept her away from classes for nearly a month, it did not stop Nurul Allyssa Saadon from winning the Minister's Special Award (Best Overall Graduate) at the 31st Baitulmal Skills Institute (IKB) convocation ceremony, here today. Nurul Allyssa, 25, who graduated with a Certificate in Computer Graphic Design, said the encouragement given by her family and teachers strengthened her resolve to keep studying to secure a better future for herself and her family. 'I did not expect to receive this award. Even though I was often unwell and missed almost a month of lessons, thanks to the teachers' support and guidance, I managed to catch up and complete all the assignments given,' Allyssa told reporters after the convocation ceremony. Allyssa, who is the sixth of seven siblings, said she planned to start her own business one day. 'I am grateful for institutes like IKB that help students from B40 families to pursue studies with various assistance, including free meals and monthly allowances,' she added. Meanwhile, another student, Nur Athirah Nadhilah Abdul Rahman, 21, a Diploma in Fashion Design Technology graduate, was announced as the recipient of the Excellent Skills Award. She received the award accompanied by her mother and her father, who has been suffering from a stroke for the past 10 years. 'My parents are my source of strength to study and achieve today's success. We rely solely on my father's pension under the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Invalidity Scheme, which is less than RM1,000 a month, with some help from my sister. 'I hope with the knowledge and qualification I now have, I can achieve my dream of becoming a well-known fashion designer both locally and internationally, and open my own brand boutique one day to change my family's future,' said the youngest of two siblings. A total of 97 graduates from seven skills programmes, one diploma programme, and six certificate programmes received their scrolls at the 31st convocation ceremony.
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Dialog Group Net Profit For FY2025 Slips To RM303.83 Mln
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Dialog Group Bhd's net profit for the financial year ended June 30, 2025 (FY2025) slid to RM303.83 million compared to RM575.03 million recorded in FY2024. Revenue fell to RM2.5 billion from RM3.15 billion previously, the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today. It said the weaker full year performance was primarily impacted by the loss after tax reported in the second quarter, largely due to the one-off impairments in petrochemical and renewable projects, and engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) projects cost overruns. For the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2025 (4Q 2025), the group registered a higher net profit of RM147.38 million from RM138.42 million registered in 4Q 2024, while revenue fell to RM608.34 million from RM810.07 million previously. The higher profit was driven by contributions from both Malaysia and International operations, as well as share of profits from the group's joint ventures and associates, it said. On its outlook, it said the group will continue to grow its presence through the development and rejuvenation of oil and gas fields for upstream business. For its downstream business, the group will continue to leverage its strengths and established track record in integrated technical services comprising EPCC, plant maintenance and catalyst handling services, and specialist products and services. 'The group will take a cautious and selective approach to bidding for EPCC contracts, prioritising in-house projects,' it said. -- BERNAMA
