KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 6 -- The government will continue its intervention measures to keep flight fares between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak affordable amid rising operational costs, including maintaining a RM499 fare cap and expanding the FLYsiswa student subsidy initiative.

In a parliamentary reply yesterday, the Transport Ministry said aviation fuel accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of airline operating costs.

The reply was issued in response to Jerantut Member of Parliament Khairil Nizam Khirudin, who asked about the government's intervention mechanisms to ensure that flights between Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula remain affordable amid the West Asia conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

"When fuel prices spike ...