New airport tax tariffs start March 1, 2009 in Indonesia

Government has approved the proposal submitted by the state-owned aviation operator, PT Angkasa Pura II, to increase service tariffs at domestic and international flight terminals.

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.

Angkasa Pura has also received an approval on the adjustment from the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI).

Many Indonesian airports have been criticized for their lack of proper and decent facilities and access points. Tariff adjustment is hoped to be followed by more improvements in facilities, such as to provide better public toilets, musholla (prayer rooms) and other facilities and to improve accessibility.

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.

Jakarta's domestic and international tariff increases are the highest compared to other cities, ranging from Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000 for domestic taxes, and from Rp 5,000 to Rp 50,000 for international taxes.

Aceh's Sultan Iskandarmuda Airport recorded the highest international tariff increase outside Jakarta, rising by Rp 40,000.

Medan's Polonia Airport in North Sumatera, Palembang's SM Badaruddin Airport in South Sumatera, Padang's Minangkabau in West Sumatera, Aceh's Sultan Iskandarmuda in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Bandung's Husein Sastranegara all have domestic flight tariffs increased by Rp 10,000.