"One of the benefits of the pioneering subsidy is a decrease in price disparities, especially those served by the Air Bridge Program," acting Director General of Air Transportation Nur Isnin Istiartono said during a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR RI) here on Tuesday.
In 2021, the price of purebred chicken meat reduced by 21 percent from Rp70 thousand per kg to Rp55 thousand per kg in Pegunungan Bintang Papua District on account of the Jembara program, he added.
Further, the price of wheat flour under the Jembara program was Rp20 thousand per kg, while the non-Jembara price was Rp25 thousand per kg, he informed.
The price of purebred chicken meat in Boven Digoel District under the Jembara program was Rp70 thousand per kg, while the non-Jembara price stood at Rp120 thousand per kg, he said.
Cooking oil price under the Jembara program was Rp25 thousand per kg, while the non-Jembara price was Rp40 thousand per kg, he added.
However, there were a number of challenges to providing the pioneering flight service in Indonesia, one of which was related to the security aspect, he revealed.
Related news: Tracing Pertamina's cost efficiency amid high global oil prices
Other challenges included changing weather conditions in some regions served by the pioneering flight operation, the rise in the value added tax (VAT) from 10 percent to 11 percent, as well as the increase in the price of aircraft fuel, he added.
"We are still thinking (about how) to address them," Istiartono said.
A number of efforts have been made to support the commitment to reducing price disparity in eastern Indonesia, including improving aviation safety through control and supervision and implementing airfare regulation policies, he informed.
"Subsidies also continue to be provided to serve underdeveloped, remote, outermost, and border areas to reduce price disparities. The budget ceiling allocation is Rp525 billion in 2022," he added.
Related news: Trade minister inspects food stocks, prices at Cibubur Market
Translator: Adimas P, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
