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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Indonesian airlines association calls flight delays 'unique and varied'

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesia's National Air Transport Association (INACA) states flight delays are unique and varied in the country.
  • INACA attributes most delays to factors outside airline control, such as weather and air traffic.
  • The association claims only a small number of its 32 members experience significant delays.

The National Air Transport Association of Indonesia (INACA) has described flight delays in the country as a unique and diverse phenomenon. During a hearing at the Constitutional Court on Monday, INACA Secretary General Bayu Sutanto explained that the causes of delays are specific to Indonesia, stemming from various factors including airline operations and external conditions.

Indeed, for delays, it is very specific or unique in Indonesia. So, there are many, diverse, it could be from the airline, it could be from conditions outside.

— Bayu SutantoExplaining the unique nature of flight delays in Indonesia.

Sutanto emphasized that airlines strive for punctuality due to its direct impact on financial performance and corporate image. However, he noted that many delay causes are beyond their control. These include natural disasters, operational issues, and even internal factors like a pilot's late arrival. The high density of air traffic and airport slot management are also cited as significant contributors to delays.

Including those outside the airlines' control are traffic, or weather, and others.

— Bayu SutantoListing external factors contributing to flight delays.

Despite these challenges, INACA asserts that only a small fraction of its 32 member airlines experience substantial delays. The association represents 7 scheduled airlines and the rest are non-scheduled operators. Sutanto provided examples, such as a four-hour delay involving Garuda Indonesia's hajj charter flight in May 2024, clarifying it was a chartered, not scheduled, service. He also mentioned an Air Asia X route delay, noting the company has since closed, and a Sriwijaya Air delay on the Makassar-Jakarta route.

Lion Air, Batik Air, Wings Air, and Superair Jet are not our members (INACA).

— Bayu SutantoClarifying which major airlines are not part of the association.

Notably, Sutanto clarified that major domestic carriers like Lion Air, Batik Air, and Superair Jet are not members of INACA. Consequently, the association cannot directly supervise or guide these airlines regarding flight delay issues. INACA also highlighted that a contract exists between passengers and airlines upon ticket purchase, outlining mutual obligations, which differentiates air travel agreements from those of other transport modes.

This is the basis of the legal relationship between passengers and the airline.

— Bayu SutantoDescribing the contractual agreement between passengers and airlines.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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