KUCHING: With just a few days remaining until Hari Raya Aidilfitri, it is expected that some 10,000 passengers will arrive daily at Kuching International Airport.
Checks at the airport this morning saw that all flights arriving from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang and Kota Kinabalu were fully booked.
The same was observed for international flights from Singapore and Jakarta. An airport personnel told Berita Harian that the atmosphere was even livelier at midnight as many travellers boarded late-night flights from Kuala Lumpur.
"These travellers took advantage of the weekend to return home as their leaves commence on Monday to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, expected on Wednesday.
"The atmosphere last night was truly festive, not only due to the return of many travellers but also because numerous family members eagerly awaited their arrival, resulting in congestion at the entrance," said the personnel.
Traveller Rizwan Salih, 34,said he could not wait to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year with his family in Sri Aman.
Rizwan said that last year he could not return to his hometown due to work commitments and high fares.
"I went back in 2022, during the Covid-19 pandemic, after two years of being unable to do so due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"This year, my employer granted me leave to return and celebrate Hari Raya. After this, I'll have to endure another three-hour bus journey to reach Sri Aman," said the private sector employee from Shah Alam.
In addition to Kuching International Airport, three other entry points to the state from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah are Sibu Airport, Bintulu Airport, and Miri Airport.
