Head of the Transportation Research and Development Center, Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) Mohammad Alwi said that the termination of subsidies for the pioneer flights in the 10 routes was proposed because other infrastructure had been built, such as roads in Papua.
"There are already other channels, such as the President`s Program, there are already land routes besides airplane transportation," he said.
The 10 routes recommended to be stopped are Nagan Raya - Singkil, Banda Aceh - Blangpidie, Blangpidie - Sinabang, Medan - Tapak Tuan, Medan - Blangpidie, Medan - Gayo Luwes, Banda Aceh - Gayo Luwes, Sangata - Balik Papan, Palangkaraya - Kuala Pambuang, and Kambuaya - Sorong.
He added that the pioneering route was recommended to be stopped considering that the services of other transportation modes (land / sea / river) to the City of Provinces / Districts, commercial flights and frequency and low passenger percentages had been served.
Meanwhile, the performance of pioneering air transportation in the last seven years still needs improvement.
Passengers transported from 2011 to 2017 ranged from 55 percent to 77 percent; while the realization of the frequency of passengers of pioneer flights ranged from 77 percent to 97 percent.
In 2013, there were 138 routes served and had increased until 2016, and in 2017, the number of routes served had decreased from 209 routes to 188 routes.
In 2018, there were 209 pioneer air transport routes throughout Indonesia coordinated by 22 Regional Pioneer Coordinators of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Based on research, pioneer air transport is widely used by passengers aged 21-35 years, with a percentage of 48 percent, income below Rp1 million or 29 percent. As many as 70 percent of passengers are only able to pay for airline tickets with a price range of Rp 200,000 - Rp 400,000.
Based on data, the most needed pioneer air transportation is air transportation, which is equal to 85 percent.
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
