Jakarta – Indonesian National Air Carrier Association (INACA) chairman Ari Askhara has called on the government to provide protection to national aviation companies from the inflow of foreign airlines, as many domestic airlines are in a critical condition.
Ari, who is also president director of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, called on the government not to issue any operational permits for new domestic airlines.
"The 11 airlines are now 'gasping for breath'. So don't add new players," Ari said in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.
"The government has to protect national airlines. Don't easily grant spots to foreign airlines at our airports or hubs.
He also called on relevant stakeholders to help the national airlines survive through reducing airport costs and lowering avtur (aviation fuel) prices to ease their burden.
He called on state-owned airport operators and PT Angka Pura (AP I and AP II), as well as the Indonesian Flight Navigation Service Institution (LPPNPI), AirNav Indonesia, to lower airport costs by 30 percent.
Meanwhile, he called on state-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina to cut the avtur price by 10 percent. (bbn)