TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has called on airlines to provide extra flights to anticipate an increasing number of passengers during this year’s homecoming season.
Budi revealed that the number of passengers since ten days before Eid al-Fitr at several airports operated by Angkasa Pura (AP) II has increased above the expected rate set at 9 percent. The number of passengers is also higher than the number of extra seats provided by airlines.
“It means that the productivity of AP II is increasing. This is good news for airlines,” Budi said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten on Friday, June 23.
Read: Soekarno Hatta Adds More Flights ahead of Homecoming Season
The number of passengers at Supadio Airport in Pontianak, (West Kalimantan) since ten days before the holiday has been increased by 35 percent when compared to the same period of last year. Other airports showing similar trends are Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport in Palembang, Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport in Pekanbaru, and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta.
Budi confirmed that the government will immediately grant permits to provide extra flights. Permit applications will be directly handled by Air Transportation Director General Agus Santoso.
According to Budi, the move to increase the flight frequency is aimed at ensuring smooth homecoming travels for passengers. Budi hopes that air transportation will become alternative for passengers who wish to experience comfortable homecoming trips.
VINDRY FLORENTIN