TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said he was still grappling with high airfares. According to him, airfares remained high despite his orders to airlines for lower tariffs.

“I’m currently studying this with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) and Ombudsman as to whether the maximum fare limit can be lowered. If I have the authority, I would like to cut [the airfares],” said Budi at the State Palace complex, Friday, May 3.

The minister said he was basically capable to craft a strategy and solve this issue based on the prevailing law yet he chose differently.

“I don’t want a single non-governance regulation. So, I have to consult [the matter],” Budi remarked.

Read: Transport Ministry: Minimum, Maximum Airfares Unchanged

The minister went on to say that the tariffs had not been revised for the past three years due to inflation and changed component tariffs.

Budi feared there would be turmoil in the aviation business should he choose to take the matters in his own hands and cut the tariffs carelessly. On the other hand, he added, he was aware of public needs for affordable tickets.

“So that’s the basic. I consult it. This is teamwork; [we] cannot move alone,” said Budi.

Soaring airfares have stirred public outcries since after the end of the 2019 new-year holidays. Some people made a petition in a futile attempt to bring them down.

EGI ADYATAMA