TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has criticized the government’s decision to increase the fuel surcharge on airline tickets.
"YLKI considers that this policy has the potential to further burden consumers amid economic pressure and declining purchasing power," said Niti Emiliana, Chairperson of YLKI, in a written statement on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The decision to raise the fuel surcharge by 50 percent was announced by the Director General of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, on May 14, 2026. Lukman stated the decision followed an evaluation of aviation fuel (avtur) prices as of May 1, 2026, which averaged Rp29,116 per liter.
Under the Transportation Ministerial Decree No. KM 1041 of 2026, the surcharge is determined by the average avtur price set by providers. The maximum surcharge ranges from 10 percent to 100 percent of the price ceiling, depending on fluctuations in current avtur prices.
Responding to the decision, Niti expressed concern that the hike could trigger a domino effect on logistics costs, leading to higher commodity prices and a broader decline in purchasing power.
Niti argues that instead of raising the surcharge, the government should address structural issues in the national aviation industry, such as avtur trade, operational efficiency, tax structures, and competition.
Furthermore, Niti stated that higher fares do not always translate to better service. She noted that consumers still frequently face flight delays, slow grievance handling, complicated refunds, unilateral schedule changes, and baggage issues.
Therefore, Niti urged airlines to improve service quality, particularly regarding punctuality and complaint resolution, as ticket prices rise.
Additionally, Niti called for full transparency regarding the breakdown of additional costs to prevent hidden fees. She urged the government to make the fuel surcharge calculation formula open and accountable to the public.
Given these conditions, YLKI urged the government to maintain ticket affordability, provide incentives to curb significant price hikes, and disclose the calculation formula transparently.
Moreover, YLKI requested that fare increases be tied to service improvements, strengthened oversight to prevent arbitrary pricing, and periodic policy evaluations to protect consumer interests.
YLKI emphasized that the public should not bear the brunt of structural problems within the aviation industry. The foundation urged the government to ensure that air transportation remains fair, affordable, and aligned with public interest.
Tempo sought a response from the Director General of Air Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, regarding YLKI's criticism. However, Lukman had not responded to questions sent via WhatsApp as of the publication of this article.
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