Thresa Sandra Desfika, Jakarta – Lion Air Group has temporarily suspended all domestic flights until May 31, citing the fact that many passengers still turn up at airports without proper travel documents and have to be turned back.

After the Idul Fitri holiday, the Jakarta provincial government says it will turn away visitors and returning residents trying to enter the capital city without an entry permit (SIKM). The rule applies to all modes of transportation.

The entry permit must include a clearance letter from the neighborhood chief (RT or RW), a health certificate, travel documents, a passport photo and an Indonesian ID card (KTP).

Also, only workers in essential sectors – health, food, energy, communication, finance, logistics, construction, hospitality and strategic industries – are allowed to come into the city.

The group's corporate communication head, Danang Prinhantoro, said many passengers have been denied boarding because they were not able to produce the required travel documents. Danang said most of them did not know the documents were compulsory.

"We need more time to educate passengers about the new requirements to fly," he said on Wednesday.

Lion Air Group has grounded all its flights until the end of the month to give passengers time to get their travel documents ready. The airline will provide information on how to obtain the documents on its website and at its branch offices.

He said passengers who have already bought tickets can get a full refund or reschedule their flights at no additional cost through its head or branch offices or the Lion Air hotline on (021) 6379-8000 or 0804-177-8899.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/lion-air-grounds-all-flights-until-end-of-may