The number of air passengers witnessed a drastic drop owing to the high prices of air tickets, among other factorsJakarta (ANTARA) - Domestic air passenger traffic plummeted 21.94 percent to 6.03 million in March 2019, from 7.73 million during the corresponding month last year owing to steep airfares, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
"The number of air passengers witnessed a drastic drop owing to the high prices of air tickets, among other factors," BPS Chief Suharyanto remarked here on Thursday.
On the other hand, the number of air passengers in March 2019 shot up 7.18 percent than 5.63 million in the previous month.
Kecuk, as the BPS chief is popularly nicknamed, believes that the drastic decline in the number of air passengers should elicit prompt attention from concerned parties over its wide-ranging impact on other sectors, including the tourism industry.
The high airfares had also impacted the room occupancy rates of star-rated hotels in the country, reducing by up to 4.21 points to 52.89 in March 2019, from 57.10 in the same month last year, he pointed out.
Furthermore, the fasting month of Ramadhan and the ensuing festivities too will boost the demand for air tickets. Thus, the issue of high airfares should be solved without delay, he emphasized.
"Certainly, it must draw attention largely since Ramadhan and Lebaran are drawing closer," the BPS chief added.
Translator: Sella Panduarsa Gareta, Suhart
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
