Malaysia Airlines Adds 62 Extra Flights for Kaamatan and Gawai with RM499 Fares

Malaysia Airlines is operating 62 additional flights to handle demand around two of East Malaysia’s biggest cultural celebrations: Kaamatan in Sabah and Gawai Dayak in Sarawak. The extra capacity covers travel between May 26 and May 31, 2026, with subsidised holiday seats available from RM499 one-way.

Kaamatan — the Kadazan-Dusun harvest festival — peaks on May 30 and 31 in Sabah, with Kota Kinabalu at the centre of the celebrations. Expect traditional Sumazau dances, tapai rice wine, and the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau harvest queen. Across the South China Sea, Gawai Dayak begins June 1 in Sarawak, drawing visitors to longhouse communities across the state for Iban music, tuak rice wine, and open-house hospitality hosted out of Kuching and beyond.

The additional flights depart from both KLIA in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, serving routes to Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Labuan, and other key Sabah and Sarawak destinations. Demand has come from domestic travellers as well as international visitors arriving from China, India, Singapore, Australia, and the Middle East — reflecting the broader draw of these festivals under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

For first-time visitors to Sabah, our things to do in Kota Kinabalu guide covers what to build into a festival itinerary: the Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association grounds, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park day trips, and the night market on Gaya Street. Travellers visiting in late May should also check our Malaysia in June guide for practical tips on weather, events, and what to pack as the southwest monsoon takes hold on the west coast while East Malaysia stays largely dry.

Seats at the RM499 subsidised fare are limited. We recommend checking availability directly with Malaysia Airlines as soon as possible — festive-period travel to Sabah and Sarawak fills quickly, and the window is narrow.