AHY Ensures Airfare Adjustments Will Not Burden the Public
The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), has emphasised that the adjustment of the maximum ceiling price (TBA) for airfares is being implemented in a cautious and measured manner. This policy considers the public’s purchasing power while responding to the rise in global energy prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East region.
“It is not always easy to face such global dynamics, but we hope for an improvement in the situation and that (airfares) do not become too burdensome for the public,” AHY stated in Jakarta on Sunday. According to AHY, global geopolitical pressures continue to have a significant impact on various economic sectors, including air transport. International conflicts and tensions have led to a surge in energy prices, particularly avtur (aviation fuel), which is the largest cost component in airline operations.
The government recognises public concerns regarding potential increases in airfares ahead of the school holiday season and the Eid al-Adha 1447 H celebrations, periods characterised by high domestic travel mobility. As the Coordinating Minister overseeing the Ministry of Transportation, AHY ensured that the airfare adjustment policy must maintain a balance between the sustainability of the aviation industry and the economic capacity of the Indonesian people.
“This is not an easy step, as the government must maintain a balance between the sustainability of the aviation industry and the economic capacity of the Indonesian people,” said AHY. He emphasised that the government routinely coordinates with the Ministry of Transportation and airlines to formulate the best options to ensure that price adjustments remain within reasonable limits.
The Ministry of Transportation previously announced an adjustment to the fuel surcharge to respond to fluctuations in avtur prices. This policy is outlined in the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 1041 of 2026 regarding the amount of additional costs due to changes in aviation fuel prices.
“The fuel surcharge adjustment is carried out based on the mechanism and formulation established in the regulations,” explained the Director General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa. The Ministry of Transportation emphasised that this policy aims to maintain the stability of the national aviation industry without neglecting consumer protection and the affordability of airfares for the public. AHY expressed hope that the global geopolitical situation, particularly in the Middle East, would improve soon so that pressure on the energy market and the aviation industry could decrease. He reaffirmed that the government will continue to monitor global developments and ensure that air transport policies prioritise public interests and the sustainability of the aviation business.