Airline Ticket Prices Rise, Government Urges Homecomers to Buy Tickets Early – 2024-03-25 22:57:14

The plane is parked on the apron of Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten (MI/Sumaryanto Bronto)

AN INCREASE in plane ticket prices is inevitable ahead of the Eid homecoming season this year. In fact, the increase has even doubled. The government has the task of ensuring that more fleets and flights are operated to reduce rising ticket prices. By increasing the number of flights, seat availability will increase and ticket prices will become more affordable.

“We urge people who use air transportation services to book tickets and buy tickets early to avoid price spikes ahead of the peak of Eid homecoming, and to plan their return home well in advance to anticipate spikes in ticket increases. If possible, use time to work from home (WFH) or “work from destination so that it is possible to get cheaper plane tickets, but provided that it is adjusted to the company’s policy,” said the Communications Bureau Team of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) when contacted on Sunday (24/3) .

Furthermore, he said that there were several impacts that might arise from increasing air ticket rates during the Eid holiday, such as people being more likely to reduce spending on tourist activities, or choose more affordable tourist destinations, or choose tourist locations close to the area where they celebrate Eid.

“An increase in air ticket rates could also have a negative impact on the local tourism industry in tourist destinations, especially if fewer tourists come due to high travel costs. This could cause a decrease in income for local businesses that depend on tourism,” he explained.

However, he continued, it is important to remember that interest in traveling usually remains high during the Eid holidays, even though there is an increase in plane ticket rates.

“Many people will still look for ways to spend quality time with their family and friends, although that may be by reducing some aspects of their travel. In addition, there are also alternative transportation such as trains, buses or private cars that may be an option for those who want to avoid high plane ticket costs,” he concluded. (Fal/Z-7)