Ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the government announced good news for the people of Indonesia. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi announced a 10% reduction in airfares nationwide.
This applies to several airports for 16 days during the Christmas and New Year period, starting from December 19, 2024, to January 3, 2025, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s direction to reduce the burden of aeroplane ticket prices and increase domestic tourism activities.
This step was taken to provide relief for people who want to travel and support the creative economy sector and domestic tourism.
Minister Agus Yudhoyono said this decision was the result of hard work over the past two weeks. It is a collaborative step involving all stakeholders, including state-owned airlines, to ensure tickets are more affordable for the public.
“The attention of President Prabowo Subianto and also the hopes of many people together with the Minister of Transportation and also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy over the past two weeks have been working to reduce aeroplane ticket prices ahead of the high seasons, namely the Christmas and New Year holidays,” he said, as reported by Liputan6.
This airfare reduction will apply to domestic flights through 19 major airports in Indonesia, specifically Denpasar, Surabaya, Medan, Silangit, Lombok, Labuan Bajo, Manado, Yogyakarta Kulon Progo, Pontianak, Ambon, Makassar, Balikpapan, Kupang, Sorong, Timika, Jayapura, Maumere, Nabire, and Biak airports.
10% Reduction: Increase domestic travel within the country
Ministry of Transportation Spokesperson Elba Damhuri revealed that the policy of lowering airfares was a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto to help the public reduce the burden of airplane ticket prices at all airports in Indonesia.
“For passengers who have purchased tickets for flights in that period, incentives can be given according to the policies of each airline if it is still possible,” Elba said.
Elba explained that to accommodate the ticket 10% reduction (without VAT reduction), the role of the airline, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, PT Pertamina and AirNav is needed to reduce fuel surcharge, PJP2U and avtur at several airports so that the overall tariff reduction can be implemented with a target ticket price reduction of at least 10 per cent.