Lion Air Worries That PSBB Jakarta Will Be Followed By Other Areas And Disturb The Aviation Industry

Lion Air aircraft. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait hopes that the implementation of DKI Jakarta's Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) on September 14 will not affect the aviation industry. The reason is that he admits that he is worried that the Jakarta PSBB will be followed by other regions, and the possibility of closing access to and from the region will occur.

"Judging from other regional policies as well, it will only affect flight performance. If other regions do not follow the tightening of protocols. We are still waiting for the details (rules)," said Edward as quoted by Antara, Friday, September 11.

He admitted that he had not received any information regarding the flight closure due to the tightening of the PSBB which was to be carried out by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. If the demand has decreased, according to him, the airlines will reduce the affected routes.

Edward also hopes that the tightening of the PSBB in Jakarta will not affect flights to other areas.

"Until now, we have not received any information, but we have analyzed it from the initial PSBB. So what we see is that the policies between regions will influence each other or not, that's the factor of people going to travel or abandoning their intention. "It's just that the health protocols are tightened," he explained.

Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation and tourism industry, Edward assessed that this burden must be shared, not only by airlines, but also by the government and society.

"We hope that all stakeholders will take care, including the national aviation sector. I am afraid that inter-regional relations will be disrupted if flights are cut back due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

He explained that business travel still dominates airplane passengers during the pandemic compared to tourist trips and family visits. The movement of the community for business trips reached 60 percent, 20 percent for tourist visits, and 20 percent for trips for family visits.

According to Edward, aircraft transportation modes are safer than other modes, because onboard there is technology that allows air circulation.

"For Lion Air itself, the load factor or occupancy level of aircraft passengers on average is still below 70 percent of the total number of flights conducted by the company," said Edward.

On the same occasion, SSS Communications Co-Founder Andy M Saladin hopes that the aviation industry can immediately revive because of its contribution to economic growth.

"Hopefully the national aviation industry can bounce back soon. After all, the aviation industry has a significant impact on national economic growth," he said.