Indonesian Airlines Slash Ticket Prices in Response to Government Stimulus

KOMPAS.com – Four Indonesian airlines have officially lowered airfares as part of the government’s new airport tax policy.

Effective October 23, Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation covers airport taxes which were previously borne by airlines. The Indonesian government’s airport tax policy will run until December 31, 2020.

Four Indonesian airlines — Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air Group, and Sriwijaya Air — have welcomed the policy. 

Read also: Indonesia Waives Airport Tax to Make Way for Cheaper Air Travel

These carriers have gone ahead in lowering ticket prices as a show of support to the government’s policy and to boost the number of airline passengers.

1. Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia’s CEO Irfan Setiaputra welcomed news of the new stimulus for airlines and stated the company’s readiness to remove airport tax from their airfares.

More affordable ticket prices open up the possibility of attracting people in opting for air travel.

“The stimulus is an important step that we have been hoping for to support the revival of the airline industry’s performance,” said Irfan.

However, Garuda Indonesia only waives airport taxes in 10 airports where its aircraft are found out of the 13 airports listed in the government policy.

Read also: Garuda Indonesia's Debt Balloons to $2.2B on Coronavirus Pandemic Woes

These are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Hang Nadim Airport, Kualanamu Airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Jogjakarta International Airport, and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

Lombok Praya International Airport, General Ahmad Yani Airport, Sam Ratulangi Airport, and Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport are also subject to Garuda Indonesia’s airport tax levy.

2. Citilink

Citilink has lowered its airfares by 10-15 percent since the recent regulation went into effect. Its reduced ticket prices apply to flights in all 13 airports listed by the government.

“In keeping with the government’s program, we are fully committed to supporting the stimulus program and to invite people to choose a mode of travel that is safe and comfortable,” said Citilink’s CEO Juliandra.

Read also: Public Unconvinced Air Travel is Safe during Coronavirus Pandemic

Juliandra is optimistic the regulation will yield a positive response for many sectors such as tourism and the creative economy.

3. Lion Air Group

Lion Air Group has also voiced their willingness to comply with the regulation by adjusting airfares in all 13 airports.

Danang Mandala Prihantoro from the airline's Strategic Corporate Communications said, “Lion Air Group will follow through on the latest changes in 13 airports located in Medan, Batam, Jakarta, Banyuwangi, Jogjakarta, Labuan Bajo, and others.” 

Danang expressed his hope that Indonesians will take to the skies again as a result of cheaper air travel.

Read also: At Least 2,600 Lose Jobs as Indonesias Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air Downsize

“The hope is that there is an improvement in the trends and growth of airline passengers or that there is an uptick.”

4. Sriwijaya Air

CEO of Sriwijaya Air Jefferson Jauwena expressed his company’s support towards the stimulus program and that it has adjusted its ticket prices on its website.

“Sriwijaya Air Group fully supports the policy and is ready to synergize itself with the government to restore enthusiasm among the public to start traveling by air transportation again.” 

Similar to Citilink and Lion Air Group, Sriwijaya Air Group will adjust the tariffs in the 13 listed airports listed by the government.

The public is encouraged to contact the nearest Sriwijaya Air Group’s Marketing Office to find out more about reduced airfares.

(Writer: Nicholas Ryan Aditya | Editor: Anggara Wikan Prasetya)

Source: https://travel.kompas.com/read/2020/10/26/210100327/daftar-4-maskapai-yang-turunkan-tarif-tiket-pesawat-hingga-akhir-tahun?page=all#page2