Up until May 28, some 216 submissions for additional flights were recorded, declining some 254 percent than last yearBadung, Bali (ANTARA) - Airline companies' submission for additional flight permits at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, during the Eid al-Fitr holiday 2019 recorded a 254-percent drop than last year.
"Up until May 28, some 216 submissions for additional flights were recorded, declining some 254 percent than last year," spokesperson of Angkasa Pura I, the state-owned operator of Ngurah Rai Airport Arie Ahsanurrohim remarked here on Wednesday.
Recent data from the Eid al-Fitr post at the Ngurah Rai Airport showed that two airline companies -- Batik Air and AirAsia -- had sought permit for additional flights during the long holidays, respectively with 132 and 84 submissions.
The figure declined significantly as compared to 765 additional flight submissions during the corresponding period in 2018.
Ahsanurrohim pointed to the steep price of air tickets being the main factor behind the decline.
However, he remarked that Angkasa Pura I had not incurred any losses since the submission for additional flights was grouped as an unanticipated additional income and chiefly to accommodate domestic flights, so they would not include it in the balance sheet.
"The additional flights are mainly to cater to passengers on their homebound journey, so we will not count it. However, we remain committed to offering the best possible services to ensure a secure, safe, and comfortable flight," he emphasized.
In terms of profit and loss, the spokesperson noted that the permits for additional flights might not be used all at once and be based on the number of passengers at the Ngurah Rai Airport.
"For instance, the number of domestic passengers decreased by nine percent last month, while international flight passengers grew some 14 percent," he noted.
Ahsanurrohim remarked that the airline companies certainly had weighed the benefits before putting in a request for the additional flight permit, apart from relying solely on flight history data.
Translator: Naufal Yusuf, Azizah Fitriyant
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
