Airfare Prices Still Feel Expensive Despite Discounts, Says Transport Minister
Jakarta — Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi explained why air ticket prices remain costly for the public despite the government’s stimulus measures and discount programmes during the Lebaran 2026 period.
According to Dudy, one of the main factors influencing air ticket prices is the high travel demand during peak periods such as long holidays or Lebaran.
‘Air fares are always an issue. When peak season, it is economics in action: when there is high demand and the number of flights available is limited, prices will rise,’ Dudy said in Jakarta on Friday (6 March 2026).
He explained that during moments such as Lebaran or other major events, public mobility increases significantly, directly affecting air ticket prices.
‘Lebaran or major events where movement of people is high usually see prices rise. When many families travel during the high season, prices will be quite high because the number of people travelling is also large,’ he said.
Nevertheless, the government continues to assist the public through various stimulus measures to keep air fares more affordable, including discount policies and tariff regulation.
‘In events like this, the government tries to help with stimuli so that people can travel at more affordable prices even though conditions are tight,’ he said.
Dudy revealed that the number of aircraft in Indonesia has not fully recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘The availability of aircraft has not returned to pre-COVID levels. Before the pandemic there were about 700 aircraft, now the available fleet is about half that,’ he said.
He added that this situation means seat capacity is limited, making it difficult for airlines to press ticket prices when travel demand rises.
‘We are addressing it by adding extra flights to transport as many people as possible who will travel given the available seats,’ he explained.
On the other hand, he also revealed that airlines had proposed adjustments to upper and lower fare caps.
However, to date the proposals are still under review because the government must also consider the public’s ability to pay.