TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-run gas and oil company Pertamina offered a discounted price of jet fuel or avtur at 20 percent for eastern regions of Indonesia during this year’s end.

The vice president of corporate communications, Fajriyah Usman, said the promo was set to support the smooth traffic of air transportation during the 2019 Christmas and 2020 New Year holidays.

“We provide a discounted price of avtur so that we can help to smooth the public transportation as well as support the air transportation in Indonesia,” said Fajriyah in a written statement, Monday, December 9.

The discount is valid starting today until January 31, 2020, at several airports of the eastern region which are transit airports for flights to remote areas. They include Manado, Ambon, Kupang, and several other transit airports.

According to Fajriyah, this Pertamina's program will be beneficial during the year-end holidays since people tend to spend time on vacation with families. In addition, it coincides with the school holidays.

Previously, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi stated his side would strive to lower airplane ticket prices to be affordable following many public complaints. However, Budi admitted that the plan could be achieved as long as the avtur price is dropped.

EKO WAHYUDI