Support Ministry Of Transportation Stabilize Airline Ticket Prices, Minister Of SOEs: Need Synergy Of Many Parties, Garuda Indonesia Increases Flight Frequency

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Photo: Doc. Garuda Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir supports the steps taken by the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi regarding the government's efforts to stabilize air ticket prices. He admitted that he would intensively coordinate. Because the price of airline tickets is an important component in controlling inflation.

Erick assessed that the Ministry of Transportation's efforts to involve stakeholders such as local governments in helping to ensure passenger occupancy levels, providing subsidies, and other incentives, were appropriate. This is because the issue of airline ticket prices requires the synergy of many parties, from the central government, regional governments, state-owned enterprises, to the private sector.

"With a comprehensive collaboration, we are optimistic that we can immediately stabilize the price of airline tickets. This will certainly have a big impact on the activities and the economy of our people who really need this mode of air transportation," Erick said in Jakarta, Friday, August 19.

Erick said, the Ministry of SOEs immediately moved quickly to prepare a formula to stabilize airline ticket prices. Erick also admitted that he had asked PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) to take a number of steps that could have an impact on reducing flight ticket prices.

"Such as the addition of flight frequencies to meet the increasing demand for aircraft service users," he said.

In addition, according to Erick, the soaring price of airline tickets is a momentum for Garuda to regain public trust. Erick assessed that the intervention in flight ticket prices was proof that Garuda's transformation and restructuring was on the right track.

"This is the time for Garuda to come and answer the trust and support of the people who are currently in need of affordable flight ticket prices," he said.

Erick also emphasized that SOEs do not only serve as a driving force for the nation's economy, but also must be present as a counterweight when market prices are experiencing turmoil.

This, continued Erick, has been proven by SOEs when they intervened in mask prices to market operations for food needs.

"This time, we must also be present to balance the market in maintaining inflation and also help the public to get affordable flight ticket prices," he said.