Wednesday, August 3, 2011

MAS, Firefly, Airasia and CSR

One of the most annoying things about school holidays and festive seasons is that airfares are costly.

If there is a need for airlines to do corporate social responsibility ('CSR') it really should begin with school holidays and festive seasons. The best time for family gatherings is during school holidays and festive seasons. School children particularly look forward to spending time with outstation extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is the best time to balik kampung and to visit the family. In fact, when special fare promotions are announced, there is even a note in fine print that the special fares would not be applicable during school holidays or public holidays! It seems unconscionable for airlines to seek a bigger profit during such times.

It would be great if Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Airasia, being Malaysian, could adopt a CSR approach with regards to such holidays. Follow the footsteps of Telekom Malaysia, where calls made during festive seasons are at a lower call charges, appreciating the sensitivity that calls are particularly meaningful for people who are away during such times. Balik kampung during such times are also particularly meaningful. And this airfare insensitivity particularly hurts people who have to travel between east and west Malaysia with no other means to balik kampung.

During festive seasons, the government monitors prices of food. Could there be a monitoring of airfares too?

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