Airlines close down some routes from Surabaya

Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya

Due to ever-rising aviation fuel prices, several domestic airlines have either reduced or closed down several Surabaya- based flights since the beginning of the year.

Juanda Airport duty manager Wuriatmo said on Tuesday that the airlines shut down the routes to make their operations more efficient following the price hikes.

The price of aviation fuel has risen by almost 30 percent from Rp 3,563 (37 U.S. cents) per liter in January to Rp 4,630 per liter in June.

Merpati Airlines reduced the number of daily flights from Surabaya to other destinations from 12 to nine, while Lion Airlines eliminated one of its 12 Surabaya-Jakarta flights.

National carrier Garuda Indonesia has cut down the number of its daily flights departing from Juanda Airport from 30 to 26. Garuda has reduced a number of flights on its Surabaya-Jakarta route and closed down the operation of its Surabaya-Makassar direct flights.

Pelita Air has also shut down its Surabaya-Makassar direct flight along with its Surabaya-Timika service, but retains its Surabaya-Denpasar and Surabaya-Bandung routes.

Bouraq Airlines and Mandala Airlines have closed down their Surabaya-Banjarmasin routes. In addition, Bouraq has also stopped the operation of its Surabaya-Balikpapan flight, leaving its only Surabaya-Makassar route still operational.

Flights between Surabaya and Yogyakarta have been suspended by both Mandala and Batavia Air.

Wings Air has also closed its Surabaya-Kupang and Surabaya- Kendari routes, leaving it only with its Surabaya-Jakarta, Surabaya-Denpasar and Surabaya-Banjarmasin routes.

Wuriatmo said he did not think the airlines would be able to reopen or reoperate the closed routes any time soon.

"The airlines are still reluctant because of fluctuating fuel prices," he said.