Jakarta (ANTARA) – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi supports innovations conducted by airlines to stabilize flight ticket prices to create a balance in the aviation industry by ensuring more affordable fares while facilitating a rebound after the pandemic.

“We support the innovation conducted by airlines and banking company to provide affordable rates, especially on weekdays during the day. This will also change the habit of people, who usually take flights in the morning or evening and on holidays,” Sumadi noted while attending the Super Air Jet First Anniversary at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Monday.

The minister also invited all stakeholders in the aviation sector, especially airlines, to jointly recover in accordance with Indonesia’s G20 Presidency agendas, despite currently reeling from a difficult situation due to limited aircraft and crew on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The transportation sector contributes 21.27 percent to Indonesia’s economic growth, which in the second quarter of 2022, grew above five percent. This growth momentum must be maintained consistently to avoid a decline,” he affirmed.

In particular, Sumadi lauded the Lion Group for innovating and ensuring adequate flight services in an effort to accelerate recovery of the national aviation industry.

He also praised all stakeholders in the aviation sector for having recorded achievements, such as the best airport and the best airline.

On the same occasion, President Director of Super Air Jet, Ari Azhari, expressed optimism that the aviation industry would recover and emerge stronger.

Azhari affirmed that his company had increased the number of fleets used to serve more regions.

“Initially, we had three Airbus 320 aircraft that first flew on August 6, 2021. Currently, we have 31 aircraft fleet units and serve 19 cities in Indonesia, with a frequency of 114 flights every day. By the end of 2022, it is projected to increase to 61 aircraft fleet units,” Azhari stated. 

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