The Indonesian Post
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has stated that the reduction in airfare is a pro-people policy. AHY emphasized the potential for lowering public transportation fares, similar to the successful implementation during the recent Christmas and New Year period, during a Coordination Meeting (Rakor) in preparation for Eid. "We must work diligently and swiftly. At that time, we had just been appointed, yet we immediately entered the preparation phase for Christmas and New Year, achieving a 10 percent reduction in airfare. This is a pro-people policy that positively impacts tourism and strengthens the economic sector in the regions," he remarked in Jakarta on Thursday. Given the ongoing increase in public mobility post-pandemic, this Rakor for Eid preparation is crucial for anticipating potential challenges. AHY underscored the importance of strong coordination across all sectors to ensure a smooth travel experience during this year's Eid. "We must ensure that the infrastructure, roads, and all supporting facilities are in optimal condition to avoid significant obstacles," he stated. Additionally, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported an increase in passenger numbers across all modes of transportation, including air, rail, and sea, in December 2024, driven by the reduction in airfare and discounts. Acting Head of BPS Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti noted that the number of air passengers, both domestic and international, as well as sea and rail transport, has seen a monthly and yearly increase. Amalia explained that the number of departing passengers has risen across all transportation modes compared to the same period in 2023. Domestic air transport increased by 1.76 percent from 62.56 million passengers in 2023 to 63.69 million in 2024. International air transport saw a significant rise of 21.46 percent, from 15.64 million passengers in 2023 to 19 million in 2024.