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INDONESIA’S Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan underscored the need for post-pandemic aviation recovery efforts during a dialogue on aviation in Jakarta recently.
“I (would like to) push this forum to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry with regard to aircraft financing and leasing,” he said at the online dialogue on “Financial Measures for Aviation Recovery.”
He explained that aviation is one of the important sectors for boosting the global economy. The four main priorities that must be considered to recover the aviation industry.
“The first priority is accelerating the recovery of air connectivity that is safe and efficient for tourism and trade. The second priority is scripting a recovery that pays attention to a sustainable future and environmental conservation,” Minister Luhut Binsar said.
He added that the third priority is pushing for cooperation among countries, financial institutions, and the international private sector. The fourth priority is taking advantage of digitalization and technological innovations.
Meanwhile, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Salvatore Sciacchitano, lauded the Indonesian government’s commitment to recovering the aviation industry.
“This is what makes me come here. Indonesia’s role to raise aviation issue becomes the center of attention during Indonesia’s G20 Presidency,” Sciacchitano, who attended the dialogue in person in Nusa Dua, Bali, said.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry has been very extraordinary. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 4.5 billion people traveled by plane each year. However, the number fell by 60 percent during the pandemic, he pointed out.
“In other countries, many airlines closed, but the Indonesian government here gives full support and is present to make recovery efforts,” he said.
He further welcomed the signing of a more comprehensive air connectivity agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU), which is expected to accelerate aviation recovery in the two regions and in the world.
“In (our) experience in Europe, liberalization in the aviation world will open up opportunities and competition,” he remarked. [antaranews/photo special]
