High domestic airfares in West Kalimantan draw criticism, government urged to act
Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—The rising cost of domestic air travel in West Kalimantan has once again come under public scrutiny. Community leaders are now calling on the government to intervene and...
Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—The rising cost of domestic air travel in West Kalimantan has once again come under public scrutiny. Community leaders are now calling on the government to intervene and address the issue.
The Indonesian Chinese Cultural Council (MABT) leader Suyanto Tanjung said that ticket prices in Indonesia are not the same as those in other countries.
He said that flights from Pontianak to cities like Ketapang, Sintang, and even Jakarta are often pricier than short-haul international flights to Malaysia.
“We want the government to do something about the high prices of these tickets. This issue is not just in Pontianak; it is also in many other places in Indonesia,” Tanjung said on Sunday, April 5.
He thinks it is funny that flying from Pontianak to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur can be cheaper than flying within Indonesia. He said that the situation makes things harder for the people. In addition, it is especially difficult since the economy is still recovering.
Tanjung said that high airfares hurt people and businesses right away. Limited affordability makes it harder to get around and slows down the economy. Even more, it may slow down regional development. This phenomenon is especially true in places where air travel is the only option because of geography.
He also questioned how the government regulates airfare, given that it owns several airlines. But airlines from other countries, like AirAsia, can offer better deals on flights between countries.
“How can they charge less than us when they use the same planes and gas? The government needs to think about the issue a lot,” he said.
MABT has asked the government to act quickly and honestly to keep ticket prices from going up. Tanjung also said that keeping air travel cheap is important for linking the area and boosting the economy.
High domestic airfares have been a problem for a long time, especially in places outside of Java. In these areas, the available options primarily limit mobility.
To fix the price differences, the aviation industry will probably need a mix of more competition and better rules. Furthermore, the industry requires more efficient business practices.
Tanjung said cheap flights are vital for ensuring equal earning opportunities.
“We hope the government can make tickets cheaper so that everyone can fly,” he asked.
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