We will continue to review this Garuda, God willing, if we can get better in the future, we should try to provide better prices.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Rini Soemarno confirmed that Garuda Indonesia airlines will continue to be reviewed in connection with a drop in the number of aircraft passengers during the Eid al-Fitr 2019 festivities.

"We will continue to review this Garuda. God willing, if we want to get better in future, we should strive to offer better prices," Minister Soemarno informed reporters here on Monday.

Soemarno explained that she will also contemplate on ways to offer cheaper ticket prices to certain areas.

"Hence, there really are areas that we have to think about in terms of how we can provide cheaper ticket prices," she stated after attending the halal bi halal (post-fasting festivities) gathering at the State-owned Enterprises Ministry.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi had earlier noted that the number of passengers using all modes of transportation during the Eid al-Fitr 2019 festivities had reportedly risen, except for the number of aircraft passengers that had recorded a 15 percent drop.

Sumadi noted that the limited available fleet was one of the reasons behind the reduction in the number of aircraft passengers. He also claimed to have received reports of several passengers not getting flight tickets owing to a reduction in aircraft operations, although he believes a growth in the number of passengers would occur if the fleet were to be increased.

It was apparent from a drop in additional flight applications during Eid al-Fitr 2019. Moreover, he noted that the steep ticket prices had resulted in a decrease in the number of passengers.

On the same occasion, Director General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation Polana B. Pramesti remarked that the prices of airline tickets should have decreased, as airline companies had been instructed to lower ticket prices by 12-16 percent in accordance with Ministerial Regulation Number 20 of 2019.

Pramesti assessed that a decrease in the number of aircraft passengers was triggered by the trend of passengers shifting to the land route, specifically by using private transport vehicles, especially after the Trans Java Toll Road was opened to the public.


Translator: Aji C/Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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