AntaraMedan (ANTARA) - The Kualanamu Airport in North Sumatra recorded a decrease of 20 percent in the number of domestic passengers at the start of 2019 as a result of the rising flight ticket prices.
"Domestic passengers in January and February averaged some 16 thousand to 17 thousand per day, or decreased by about 20 percent than usual," General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura II, Kualanamu Airport Bayuh Iswantoro stated in Medan, capital of North Sumatra province, on Thursday.
The decline in domestic passengers impacts the rise in flight ticket prices.
Iswantoro pointed out that despite a slight increase, or 21 thousand to 22 thousand, in March, the figure was still lower than before the hike in prices of airplane tickets.
"Hence, Angkasa Pura II lauded the Medan Great Sale 2019 event held on March 18-31, 2019, and July 1-14, 2019.
The Medan Great Sale, offering discounted prices at hotels and restaurants, and much more, is expected to attract visitors to Medan and North Sumatra, as a whole, so that the number of domestic passengers can increase.
North Sumatra Provincial Secretary Sabrina admitted that the increase in prices of airplane tickets had a negative impact on the area.
He noted that not only did the number of domestic tourists drop, but it also contributed significantly to the consumer price index experiencing an inflation/deflation.
Sabrina noted that North Sumatra continued to experience a 0.32 percent deflation in February 2019, but the prices of flight tickets still remained a source of inflation.
"The prices of domestic flight tickets will perhaps be lowered to support tourism programs, which in future, are also expected to be a source of income," he added.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
