TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Transportation Ministry officially responded to Singapore Airlines, and Silk Air, reducing flight services across its network that also includes Jakarta - Singapore flights.

The Ministry’s director-general of air transport Novie Riyanto said the flights were canceled due to weak demands amidst the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

“The demands are indeed weak,” said Novie to Tempo on Mocoronavinday, February 25.

Novie assured that the directorate-general was informed prior to the flight cancelation and maintains that it will not be permanent as it is scheduled to resume normal flight schedules in May 2020.

He also explained that Singapore Airlines continues to serve flights to other Indonesian cities such as Denpasar.

Tempo received confirmation from Singapore Airlines in an official online statement from singaporeair.com. which said; “We will continue to monitor the situation and make further adjustments as necessary.”

The airlines also assures that affected customers “will be notified and re-accommodated onto other flights.

They also added that customers can access further information through its SIA reservations team at (+65) 6223-8888. “Singapore Airlines and SilkAir also apologize for the inconvenience caused,” as stated by the airline’s press release.

Singapore Airlines’ Twitter account explained that the flight reduction affects six flights, including Silk Air, have been canceled flights from Jakarta to Singapore that initially was set to depart on March 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, 27, 29.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA

Editorial Note: This article has been edited to add the official response from Singapore Airlines.