Aviation Industry Unaffected by Presidential Election Issue

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rumors of civil unrest during the announcement of presidential election official result has no effect on people’s desire to travel on vacation as this moment coincides with Eid homecoming season.

“Transaction is still normal. Those issues have no effect. People don’t have to migrate overseas,” Zulkarnaini, director of travel agent PT MMBC Travel, told Tempo on Sunday.

He said MMBC Travel last month served flight bookings in bulk, but did not detail the number of sold tickets and destinations. “Last month’s transaction value reached Rp70 billion,” said Zulkarnaini.

People tend to buy flight tickets many days before the date, which is why this month’s transaction is not as much as last month’s. Since the beginning of the month until today, MMBC Travel has recorded ticket sales of Rp40.1 billion while daily transaction is Rp2.4 billion. “Sold tickets are mostly for homecoming and domestic routes,” said Zulkarnaini.

Citilink airlines spokesman Benny S. Butarbutar said Lebaran season caused flight bookings departure this month to be booming. He believed that rumors of civil unrest has no effect on the number of flights. “We believe that the people, the government and our democracy are mature. Flights are still going smoothly because people choose to travel during Eid Day,” said Benny.

PUTRI ADITYOWATI