Bridging the distance between Peninsular and East Malaysia: The FLYsiswa subsidy is designed to make the journey home a reality for thousands of students. (Photo by Getty Images)
For many Malaysian students studying far from home, especially those travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, flight tickets can be one of the biggest expenses during the academic year. To ease that burden, the government has expanded the FLYsiswa flight ticket subsidy for 2026, a travel assistance initiative designed to help eligible students return home more affordably.
Under the programme, students receive a digital voucher worth RM400 annually, which can be used to purchase domestic economy-class flight tickets. With the FLYsiswa subsidy, now including state-owned and government-linked universities, thousands more can now maintain stronger connections with their families while pursuing their studies.
What is the FLYsiswa subsidy?
The FLYsiswa initiative, led by the Ministry of Transport, provides financial assistance for flight tickets to students who need to travel between their hometown and their place of study within Malaysia. The subsidy specifically covers domestic routes linking Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Each eligible student receives a RM400 digital voucher issued through a participating airline. This voucher functions like a credit that can be applied to one-way or return economy-class flights.
The programme is available through several participating airlines, including:
- Malaysia Airlines
- AirAsia
- Batik Air
- Firefly
- MASwings / AirBorneo
Since its launch, the initiative has already helped more than 118,000 students travel home more affordably, highlighting its impact on student mobility and well-being.
Who is eligible?
The subsidy is open to Malaysian students enrolled in selected public education institutions, including:
- Public universities
- Polytechnics
- Community colleges
- Matriculation colleges
- Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG)
To qualify, students must be studying in a different region from their permanent home address, such as:
- Students from Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan studying in Peninsular Malaysia
- Students from Peninsular Malaysia studying in Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan
- Students travelling between Sabah and Sarawak or Labuan and East Malays
Why eligible students should use it
For students studying far from home, airfare can quickly add up, especially during peak travel seasons such as semester breaks, festive periods, or long weekends. The FLYsiswa subsidy helps make these journeys more affordable, easing the financial strain on both students and their families.
Beyond cost savings, the initiative also helps students maintain stronger family connections and supports their overall well-being during their academic journey.
If eligible, claiming the subsidy can significantly reduce travel costs throughout the year.
How to check eligibility and claim your FLYsiswa ticket
To begin, students should first check their eligibility through the Ministry of Transport’s FLYsiswa portal. On the website, they will need to enter their MyKad number and select their institution of study. The system will then verify their details and confirm whether they qualify for the subsidy.
Once eligibility is confirmed, students can choose a participating airline to redeem their voucher. Students typically need to select one airline partner to issue the digital voucher.
After selecting an airline, students must register for the voucher through the airline’s FLYsiswa page or booking platform. Once the registration and verification process is complete, the airline will issue an RM400 digital credit voucher linked to the student’s account.
Finally, students can book their flight online using the voucher. The subsidy can be applied to one-way or return economy-class tickets on domestic routes between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
If the total ticket price is lower than the voucher value, the remaining balance may be retained as credit for future bookings.
Travel plays an important role in the student experience. Initiatives like FLYsiswa help ensure that distance and travel costs do not stand in the way of those important journeys.
