Citing Antara News Agency, Elba stated that the reduction in airfare was a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto to ease the financial burden on the public during the holiday season. "President Prabowo held a limited meeting with the Minister of Transportation and several other ministers at the Merdeka Palace to discuss lowering airfares for the Nataru (Christmas and New Year) period. Following this, the government agreed to reduce domestic airfare prices by 10% across all airports in Indonesia," Elba explained.

The discounted fares will be effective for 16 days, from December 19, 2024, to January 3, 2025, and will apply to unsold tickets. "For passengers who have already purchased tickets for flights during this period, incentives may be provided depending on each airline’s policy, if feasible," Elba added.

To implement these reductions without affecting value-added tax (VAT), the collaboration of airlines, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, PT Pertamina, and AirNav is crucial. This includes reducing fuel surcharges, passenger service charges (PJP2U), and aviation fuel costs at several airports. The aim is to achieve an overall 10% reduction in airfare prices.

Elba expressed hope that this decision would be welcomed by Indonesians traveling by air during the holiday season. He also anticipated that the reduced fares would boost the national economy and tourism in the last quarter of 2024.

PT Pertamina Persero is set to support this initiative by lowering aviation fuel prices in 19 key airports, including Denpasar, Surabaya, Medan, Silangit, Lombok, Labuan Bajo, Manado, Yogyakarta Kulon Progo, Pontianak, Ambon, Makassar, Balikpapan, Kupang, Sorong, Timika, Jayapura, Maumere, Nabire, and Biak.

This decision aims to make air travel more accessible while stimulating economic growth and tourism during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year