Prabowo-Gibran Government Ensures Airline Ticket Price Reduction as Transportation Solution Ahead of Christmas and New Year
By: Nurul Janida )*
Ahead of the 2025 Christmas and New Year holidays (Nataru), the government has implemented a policy to increase accessibility to air transportation by lowering airfare prices. This policy is a strategic step to support public mobility, which usually increases during this period. The decrease in airfare prices is expected to have a positive impact on various sectors, including tourism and the local economy.
In the Bali Region, this step brings a breath of fresh air to the tourism industry which is one of the backbones of the regional economy. Air transportation is now again the main choice for tourists who want to visit the Island of the Gods. The decrease in airfare provides an opportunity for tourism actors to increase visits, especially from domestic tourists.
Deputy Chairman of the Tabanan DPRD, Made Asta Dharma, said that this policy should be utilized as well as possible by tourism actors in Bali, especially in Tabanan. He sees the momentum of the end of this year as a great opportunity, considering that previously many domestic tourists chose land routes to save on travel costs. With more affordable plane tickets, Tabanan can become a favorite destination.
The government through the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), said that the reduction in airline ticket prices reached around 10 percent. This aims to support people who want to travel during the end-of-year holidays. This policy was produced through intensive discussions with stakeholders, including airlines and the Ministry of Transportation.
AHY emphasized that this policy is not only a short-term solution, but also provides an example of how fast and effective public policies can have a direct impact on society. In the past two weeks, the government and airlines have succeeded in reaching an agreement to implement this policy.
The reduction in airfares is expected to increase the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Indonesia. Tourist destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta, and Lombok are projected to be the main destinations. Thus, the hotel, restaurant, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sectors in these destinations will also feel the direct benefits.
On the other hand, tourism business actors also need to prepare for the increase in tourist visits. Providing quality services, adequate facilities, and attractive promotions are the keys to maximizing this opportunity. For areas such as Tabanan, promotions about the beauty of nature and local culture can be the main attraction.
In addition, land transportation management at tourist destinations is also a concern. With the increasing number of tourists using planes, the need for local transportation such as taxis and tourist buses will also increase. Local governments need to ensure that these services run well to support tourist comfort.
This policy also has a domino effect on the local economy. The increase in tourist visits is expected to boost regional income through hotel and restaurant taxes. The trade sector will also experience increased demand, especially for local products and handicrafts.
Meanwhile, the government also needs to monitor the impact of this policy to ensure that the main objectives of increasing community mobility and economic growth can be achieved. Periodic evaluation and dialogue with stakeholders are important steps in maintaining the sustainability of the policy.
For tourists, this policy is an opportunity to plan a vacation trip more flexibly. With more affordable ticket prices, destinations that were previously considered expensive are now more accessible. This also opens up opportunities to expand the travel experience and explore various local cultures.
Head of Indonesia Affairs and Policy Indonesia AirAsia, Eddy Krismeidi, said that the reduction in ticket prices is expected to encourage an increase in passenger volume and create more affordable conditions for people who want to travel during the end-of-year holiday season. This reduction is part of an effort to create more affordable air transportation with a projected increase in ticket sales targets during Nataru.
This domestic ticket price reduction policy applies to the booking period starting from November 29, 2024 to January 3, 2025, with a travel period lasting from December 19, 2024 to January 3, 2025. This step is expected to have a positive impact on the domestic aviation industry through increased passenger volumes that will support airline operations.
AirAsia projects a positive impact of this policy on the domestic aviation industry. Despite facing potential losses due to tariff reductions, various strategic steps have been taken to maintain operational efficiency. The airline ensures that this policy can be implemented without sacrificing service quality.
With the various benefits offered, this policy of reducing airfares is the right transportation solution to face the Nataru holidays. This effort not only provides convenience for the community, but also becomes a major driver in post-pandemic economic recovery.
The central and regional governments need to continue to work together to ensure that this policy has maximum impact. With careful planning and effective implementation, this Nataru holiday is expected to be a moment of revival for tourism and the national economy.
The success of this policy also reflects the government’s commitment to providing the best service to the community. With more affordable transportation, people have more options to celebrate the holidays with family and loved ones.
)* The author is a Malang student living in Jakarta
