BBN Airlines Closes All Flight Routes, Minister Of Transportation: We Can't Block

JAKARTA - BBN Airlines Indonesia officially closed all its flight routes in Indonesia.

The Irish company, which only operates in the country in 2024, chose to change its business model.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi said the closure of the route was entirely a consideration for the company.

He said the government only played a role in granting operational permits.

Furthermore, Dudy emphasized that the government does not have the authority to hinder the airline's business decisions.

"That's their business consideration. If we give permission if he wants to operate, go ahead. If he changes business, we can't stop it," said Dudy when met at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 11.

Dudy said BBN Airlines Indonesia had processed its business changes. He said the Irish airline had switched to aircraft rental services for other airlines.

"As far as I know they have processed it, because they have changed their business to lease the plane to another airline," said Dudy.

Previously, it was reported that the Indonesian BBN Airlines airline had stopped a Jakarta (CGK)-Balikpapan (BPN) route since the end of last October. The Ministry of Transportation requested that the airline provide clear information to customers and ensure that the right of consumers is fulfilled.

For your information, BBN Airlines Indonesia has scheduled commercial flights with the Jakarta (CGK)-Denpasar (DPS) inaugural flight route followed by the Jakarta (CGK)-Surabaya (SUB) and Jakarta (CGK)-Balikpapan (BPN) routes.

The route is served almost every day of the week. There is one more route for Jakarta (CGK)-Pontianak (PNK) which is planned to fly for the first time on November 15, 2024.

However, related to the CGK-BPN route according to production data, since October 29, 2024, it has not operated anymore due to market demand or demand which is less with an average load factor of 20 to 25 percent.

Direktur Jenderal Perhubungan Udara, Lukman F. Laisa menekankan BBN Airlines Indonesia agar memastikan hak penumpang dipenuhi dengan mengembalikan uang tiket secara penuh atau 100 persen kepada penumpang, dan tidak melakukan penjualan kembali.

"This action reflects the airline's attention to customer satisfaction and trust," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, November 6.

As the regulator, continued Lukman, the Directorate General of Hubud continues to encourage General Transportation Business Entities (BUAU) to adjust their services according to market demand.

Even so, Lukman considered that the decision taken by BBN Airlines Indonesia by stopping its low flight route of load factor was a natural thing according to market dynamics, as long as it did not harm prospective passengers.

"The presence of the Indonesian BBN Airlines airline is expected to provide access and options for the public using air transportation services and show positive progress in the aviation sector in Indonesia," he said.