Thursday, 4 July 2013

GOVERNMENT ASKED AIRLINES NOT TO IGNORE THE PRINCIPLE OF FLIGHT SAFETY



Cheap airlines could potentially violate the principles of aviation safety by reducing the budget for improvement of the quality of human resources and fleet maintenance in order to reduce the operating costs. These Low Cost Carriers (LCC) which is oriented toward budget reduction without being balanced by companies’ management which master the knowledge of flight, would be dangerous to flight safety, in this regard, the minister of transportation as the regulator needs of oversee the operation of cheap airlines considering various flight incident in evolving a lot of budget airlines.  

Nus Nuzulia Ishak, Director General of standardization and consumer protection, the ministry of trade, in Jakarta on Friday (4/19), thinks that aviation industry which chooses LCC strategy potentially ignores the rights of comport, safety, and security for consumers. According to him, the Indonesian aviation regulations, because it is implementing a cheaper fare, airlines with low rates along with low rates along with reduced services are increasingly popping up. “Airlines must meet the principles of aviation safety”, Nus said.
               
Intense competition among airlines makes them think hard to keep costs down so they can sell tickets at the cheapest prices. As a result, it often gives a low quality, which raises potential neglect of rights of consumers, comfort, security, and safety. In fact, consumer rights, such as comport, security, and safety are provided for in article 4 of the consumer protection act. In addition, the ministry of transportation also has a regulation governing services of these airlines.

Nus thought that airline consumers are still experiencing many problems ranging from delays, although compensation has been regulated by the ministry of transportation. Other think like lost ticket money the airline is experiencing bankruptcy. There is also a problem which is often experienced by consumers such as fluctuating ticket prices. Then, long check-in service because of the long queues, inadequate airport lounge facilities, and delays in flight schedules.

Nus said that aviation deregulation in Indonesia opens opportunities for the growing number of airlines with domestic routes. But unfortunately, the intense competition often results in loss of quality of services to consumers. It asked the airlines to immediately improve the quality of service that consumers often complain about.

It opened a consumer complaints service, including Lion Air disaster victims in Bali whose rights as a consumer are not met by the airline. Ministry of trade, said Nus, will mediate disputes between consumers and businesses to receive a proportional compensation. If it does not lead to settlement, the trade ministry will encourage the completion of the case to the Non-governmental consumer protection institution (LPKSM) or to the consumer dispute settlement body (BPSK).

It is estimated that with the Indonesian economy which continues to grow, the demand for flights will increase, and the trend also occurred at LCC flights. LCC market will grow 20% next year. LCC market share in the country controls 70% of total air passengers today.

The potential of the national aviation industry is very large. Indonesia with a population of around 240 million people is a promising opportunity and potential. In the next two to three years there will be an increasing number of middle-class people. It surely promises a bigger number of LCC passengers which is better of the travel industry of the businesses. “Indonesia is geographically separated by the seas and the high plains. “The presence of air transport services will be very important”, he said. (E) 



Business News - April 24,2013
          
 

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