JAKARTA - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has urged airlines to increase connectivity to South Asia to recoup potential losses due to suspension of flights to mainland China amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“There are massive opportunities in Western[sic] Asian routes such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh because prior to the outbreak ambassadors of those countries asked me about the possibility of connecting flights [from Indonesia],” said Mr Sumadi after a meeting with Tourism Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio, airline representatives, and PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) and PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) as airport operators, Wednesday (12/2).
“Thus, I’m asking that Garuda [Indonesia], Batik [Air], Lion [Air], and AirAsia to increase connectivity to [South] Asia and announce new routes by as late as May because we understand that route-planning cannot be rushed.”
According to Mr Sumadi’s estimate, suspension of flights to mainland China has caused airlines’ revenues to drop around 30%, with the most affected airlines being those with routes to Singapore and China.
“[The airlines having] such issues are mostly those that fly to China and Singapore. Other airlines are in relatively good condition, but 30% of airline routes [from Indonesia] are to China, so there is a potential drop of revenue by around 30%,” said Mr Sumadi. (MS)