The Transportation Ministry has adjusted the tariff for Aircraft Passenger Services (PJP2U), or airport tax, affecting 11 airports from 16th July 2022.
The change applies to both domestic and international flights.
According to a spokeswoman for the Transportation Ministry, Adita Irawati, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation approved the proposed increase in airport tax.
“The airport service tariff adjustment in the form of PJP2U proposed by airport operators can be approved with the obligation to disseminate information to the public widely and effectively,” explained Irawatito to detik.com, as quoted on Saturday 16th July.
The Ministry understands the burden of operating costs at airports organised by operators to ensure airport safety, security, and services in accordance with statutory regulations.
“Currently, we are asking airport operators to carry out massive socialisation to stakeholders so that the public gets adequate information and understanding,” he said.
In response to this, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the airport tax increase had been adjusted because of two years of flight reductions during the pandemic.
“Some have reported it because of the increase in operating costs and also adjustments so that the airport can operate in accordance with environmental sustainability. The adaptation is also adjusted after the pandemic with the increase in operating costs from each airport,” said Uno on Friday 15th July.
The minister explained that the airport tax issue would be discussed again with the relevant ministries.
However, in order not to have an impact on the high price of airline tickets, airlines must increase the frequency of flights and the capacity of the number of passengers. Several airlines had agreed to increase flight frequency.
“We discussed this (increased ticket price) together including the Transportation Minister. With the addition of the number of flights, there are several committed airlines such as Air Asia, Lion Group, and Pelita Air, later the number of flights can be increased, so that ticket prices can be lowered,” he explained.
Uno hopes that the solution provided by the government can prevent the increase in air ticket prices when the airport tax also increases.
Meanwhile, the general chairman of the Indonesian Aviation Service User Association (Apjapi) Alvin Lie said he regrets that the airport tax increase happened suddenly without any socialisation like what the government had done.
“Some have been implemented since June 2022 and the increase in airport tax is not half-hearted in general, up to 20-40 percent,” said Lie when contacted by Kompas.com.
There will also be additional airports following this policy on 1st August. The impact of the airport tax increase will be felt directly by air transportation service users because the price of airline tickets will be more expensive. Whereas previously, the price of airline tickets was expensive because of the impact of the increase in the price of aviation fuel.
The following is a list of airport tax increases:
Ambon Pattimura Airport (AMQ)
Kupang Airport (KOE)
Juanda Airport Surabaya (SUB)
Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, South Sulawesi (UPG)
SAMS Sepinggan Airport Balikpapan (BPN)
Syamsudin Noor Airport, South Kalimantan (BDJ)
Airport Jend. Ahmad Yani Semarang (SRG)
Adi Sumarmo Boyolali Airport (SOC)
Yogyakarta Adisucipto Airport (JOG)
Lombok International Airport NTB Airport (LOP)
Manado Sam Ratulangi Airport (MDC)
Frans Kaisiepo Biak Airport (BIK)
Sentani Jayapura Airport (DJJ)
Soekarno-Hatta airport terminal 2 (CGK
Soekarno-Hatta airport terminal 3 (CGK)
Medan Kualanamu Airport (KNO)
Raden Inten II Lampung Airport (TKG)
Hasanuddin Airport Tanjung Pandan Airport (TJQ)
Fatmawati Bengkulu Airport (BKS)
Source: indonesiaexpat.id