Travel Agent Association Voices Objection over Airport Tax Hike
30 March 2014 01:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Travel Agent Association (ASITA) of East Java branch, Nanik Sutaningtyas, said that the association objects to state-run airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II's policy that raises airport tax in five airports.
The reason, she said, is that the rise is not followed by the improvement of services in the airports. "We object to the rise. It is the passengers that will shoulder the burden. The services will certainly not be better [after the rise]," she said, Friday, March 28, 2014.
She also shared her experience when she brought a tourist group and the airport officials asked for extra money. "Although I paid the airport tax already, the officials still asked for more money. I am sure, the services in the airports will remain like that despite the airport tax increase," she said.
Juanda International Airport in Surabaya is one of the airports under the management of Angkasa Pura I.
Starting April 1, 2014, the operator raises airport tax from Rp40,000 to Rp75,000 for domestic flights, and from Rp150,000 to Rp200,000 for international flights.
Nanik further said that airport tax increase would not affect travel agent industries but would give a direct impact to the passengers, as they will have to pay more for the airplane tickets.
In the meantime, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Juanda, Trikora Harjo, is not available yet for comments.
DIANANTA P. SUMEDI