Gov't Announces 50% Cut in Domestic Airfares
Jakarta. The government has announced that domestic airfares would be cut by 50 percent from Thursday.
"Lower airfares will be available on certain flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Airlines will be available to offer lower airfares for up to 30 percent of the total number of seats on each flight," Susiwijono, secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, said in Jakarta on Monday.
The decision to cut domestic airfares was taken in a meeting between the coordinating minister for economic affairs, the transportation minister and representatives of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, the Lion Air Group and airport operators Angkasa Pura I and II on July 1.
Susiwijono said lower airfares will be available on 64 flights operated by Citilink, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, and 146 flights operated by Lion Air, Indonesia's biggest budget airline.
That means lower fares will be available for around 3,000 seats on Citilink flights and 8,000 seats on Lion Air flights. The Directorate General of Aviation is managing the allocation of the discounted airfares.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the price cut answered the public's demand for lower airfares.
"The government will always strive to provide affordable airfares for everyone," Budi said in Jakarta on Monday.
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