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THE GOVERNMENT plans to add domestic or regional routes, especially to tourist areas such as Tanjung Kalayang on Bangka Belitung Island.
According to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, said the addition of this route follows efforts to reduce airfare prices to boost the domestic tourism sector.
“The government has decided that domestic ticket prices will be reduced by 10%. So we are encouraging domestic tourism to increase,” Airlangga said at the 2024 Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Working Meeting in Jakarta on Sunday (12/01), 2024.
Airlangga admitted that after COVID-19, activity in the domestic aviation sector was less enthusiastic. Moreover, the number of Indonesian aircraft also decreased from 500 units before the pandemic to 400 units after the pandemic. On the other hand, the demand for domestic flights for tourism activities continues to increase.
Therefore, he said, the government will open regional flights with the aim of bringing back tourist destinations.
“For example, the economic area in Tanjung Kelayang on Bangka Belitung Island, if there are no flights, it is difficult for tourists to come because they have to go to Jakarta first, then to Babel (Bangka Belitung), or first to Palembang, then to Babel. In fact, regionally, tourists can come directly if the flights are opened,” Airlangga said.
He added that the government has decided to reduce the price of domestic air tickets at all airports in Indonesia during the Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 periods.
“The policy to reduce airfares is a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto to help the community to reduce the burden of airfares,” Airlangga concluded. [sources/photo special]
