MP Requests That Aircraft Ticket Price Increases Not Be Permanent

A member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives, Rivqy Abdul Halim, has requested that the government not pass on the economic burden of rising aircraft ticket prices to the public amid the avtur crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict.

According to Rivqy, the avtur crisis is indeed a challenge for the aviation industry. However, the solutions adopted must not sacrifice the public’s purchasing power, especially since the economy has not yet recovered.

“Do not let the public always be the first party asked to understand every time there is operational cost pressure. Meanwhile, transparency in the airlines’ cost structures and government mitigation policies is minimal,” said Rivqy in a written statement quoted on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

The politician from the National Awakening Party assessed that the government’s decision to allow airlines to raise aircraft ticket prices must be closely monitored. He urged the government to explain the indicators, time limits, and evaluation mechanisms.

Because Rivqy sees the potential for unhealthy practices, such as airlines using this momentum to excessively raise ticket prices. “Do not let it become a permanent policy that harms the public,” he stated.

Furthermore, Rivqy called on the government to be consistent and fair in regulating ticket prices, including lowering them when avtur prices return to normal. He emphasised that the public deserves to benefit when airlines’ operational costs decrease.

“We must not only be noisy when prices rise, but silent when prices should fall. If avtur prices return to normal later, the government must also firmly ensure that ticket prices are adjusted to global economic conditions,” he said.

Rivqy encouraged stakeholders such as the government, regulators, and airlines to seek long-term solutions that are not only oriented towards the industry’s sustainability but also protect the broader public interest. “The industry must be healthy, but the people must also still be able to fly without feeling squeezed by the situation,” he said.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that aircraft ticket prices this month have risen between 9-13 percent. The increase considers the maximum fuel charge or additional fuel cost becoming 38 percent on jet and propeller aircraft tickets.

However, the government is providing subsidies on the 11 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) borne by the government. “Thus, with the government bearing it, the increase to users, to the public, is only around 9-13 percent,” he said during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday, 6 April 2026.

The decision to raise the fuel charge considers the surge in world crude oil prices to around US$100 per barrel. The avtur price from PT Pertamina Patra Niaga was Rp13,656.51 - 15,737.82 per litre in March, while this month it is Rp22,707.92 - 25,632.39 per litre.