TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra asserted that his side will not double flight ticket prices in the new normal era. According to him, the price hike only occurred due to the mudik ban policy in the 2020 Eid.

At that time, the airline ticket prices were raised to prevent people from going mudik in an effort to curb the Covid-19 transmission. “But it has not been discussed again,” said Irfan in an online discussion in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 9.

Earlier, Garuda said it had been prepared to serve passengers in the new normal era. The seat capacity would be set at 70 percent of the total capacity. Hence, it planned to adjust ticket prices.

During a discussion with Tempo on Monday, June 8, Irfan said his company would not increase the ticket price that causes people to refrain from having a trip. Discussions on prices adjustment were still afoot, he added.

“We don’t want to raise it (the price) like crazy,” he said, acknowledging that people have to pay for PCR or rapid tests required in several regions.

Irfan further ensured that Garuda Indonesia as a state-owned company would not think of profits and losses.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Air Carrier Association (INACA) chairman Denon Prawiraatmadja said the price adjustment was quite fair for airlines since they must adjust the seating capacity.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO