MAVCOM Instructs Airlines To Better Manage Flight Disruption - 291 Extra Flights For CNY Holidays

The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) yesterday instructed all airlines with immediate effect to better manage their flight disruption procedure as stated in the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC). This is in view of the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration travel surge.

According to MAVCOM, any and all issues raised by passengers should be rectified immediately following flight disruption. This is besides the airline's existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in managing disruptions, more so during important festive holidays when air travel is high.

One of the requirements set by MAVCOM is for airlines to have on ground staff empowered to provide assistance to passengers whose flight is delayed by two or more hours. This requirement is important in not leaving passengers hanging by improving proper communication channels and providing the necessary care required as per MACPC more so during peak travel periods such as festive seasons.

On another note, MAVCOM announced it has approved all 291 additional flights for this Chinese New Year for travel period between 18 to 31 Jan 2023 in an effort to meet the surge in demand and curb down airfares.

As of 6 Jan 2023, the 291 additional flights are AirAsia (134), Malaysia Airlines (53), Batik Air (44), SKS Airways (44) and Firefly (16). The most number of extra flights are for the Sabah and Sarawak route numbering 205 where 50 is to Kota Kinabalu, 21 to Tawau, 2 to Sandakan, 52 to Kuching, 41 to Sibu, 23 to Miri and 16 to Bintulu.

These additional flights are on top of the already existing 1,253 normal scheduled flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, 1,594 between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak and 3,261 flights within Peninsular Malaysia.