ISSUES OF THE DAY: ‘New airport tax tariffs start March 1’

Waiting to go: Crowds queue at the domestic flight terminal of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport during the annual Idul Fitri exodus last year. JP/Ricky Yudhistira

Feb. 20, p. 1

Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said that the implementation of the new tariffs will start next month. New international flight tariffs will start on March 1, and domestic ones on March 15. “Domestic flight tariffs will only increase by Rp 10,000 on average, but for international flights by up to Rp 50,000,” he said in a statement. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s domestic flight tariff has increased to Rp 40,000 (US$3.5) from Rp 30,000, while the international flight tax tariff is up to Rp 150,000 from Rp 100,000. The domestic flight tariff at Halim Perdanakusuma, the second city aiport, goes up to Rp 30,000 from Rp 25,000 and international flight taxes go to Rp 80,000 from Rp 75,000.

Your comments:

I know the reason why the government has approved the proposal because they cannot pay the salaries of the customs officials.

I think it is better to reduce the customs office recruitment rather than to increase tax.

I absolutely agree with the increase of airport taxes, but the operator should also improve their services.

Which airport in Indonesia is of an international standard?

Singapore Changi Airport charges $28 (around Rp 200,000) for airport tax, which is more expensive but with a totally different level of service from Soekarno-Hatta airport.

They have nice sofas for midnight transit passengers; have enjoyable cafes; free wifi; comfortable shopping areas; free drinking water; everywhere is secure and clean. So, perhaps there should be a clear roadmap on how the tax increase will be used.

Where will the 50 percent raise go?

The only reason why the airports have very poor facilities is because of corruption. It is possible with the current tax tariff for the airports to improve standards.

The raising of the international tax tariff is too much. I strongly disagree with it.

This is ridiculous. What has been done to improve airport facilities and services? I hope that they can do something with the increased airport tax.

As long as there is a commensurate improvement in services for departing passengers, then so be it. Can we have an assurance from the government and consumer organizations that if there is NOT a marked improvement, the charge will be reduced to its previous level?

I hope the money will be used for the benefit of tourists who visit this country, for example, to provide better toilet facilities. Your public toilets are dirty and smelly, so bad it made me sick.