The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is intensifying coordination with the task force to reduce airline ticket prices in Indonesia, the ministry's Director of Regional I Tourism Marketing Wisnu Sindhutrisno stated in Jakarta on Friday.
"The components of airline tickets come from cross-ministerial and regulatory institutions, such as the price of aviation fuel, the tax component, and also several flight regulations," he said.
Sindhutrisno expressed hope that the airline ticket price could be reduced again in the first semester of 2025, although it cannot be the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope airline ticket prices will return to normal or reduce in early 2025. We are also mapping out several challenges. This is not merely intended for tourism but almost all aspects of human life from business to family visits," he remarked.
Sindhutrisno said his side also encourages tourists to use other modes of transportation, such as trains or ferries.
"From our side, we will continue to encourage the promotion of tourism destinations and modes of transportation other than airplanes. For example, tourists can visit Bintan, Bali, or Lombok via ferries. We encourage cheaper modes of transportation," he remarked.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan prepared efficiency steps to reduce airline ticket prices, including evaluating aircraft operating costs.
He underscored the need to identify in detail the Cost Per Block Hour (CBH), which is the largest component of aircraft operating costs.
His side also formulated a strategy to reduce the CBH based on the type of aircraft and flight services.
On September 18, Pandjaitan also met with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes to discuss the high aviation fuel prices in Indonesia.
During their meeting, the minister referenced an earlier statement made by Fernandes about Indonesia's jet fuel prices being the highest in Southeast Asia.
"I have looked into the fuel pricing structure," Pandjaitan remarked, adding that he had instructed his deputy to investigate the reasons behind the high cost of Indonesia's aviation fuel.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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