GARUDA Indonesia will begin including passenger service charge (PSC) in its air tickets from September 28, with a transitional period of 12 months.
Garuda’s vice president communications Pujobroto told The Jakarta Post that the flag carrier will be the first Indonesian airline to integrate PSC into its tickets. At present, the departure taxes need to be paid in cash and in person at Indonesian airports.
Garuda executive vice president marketing and sales, Elisa Lumbantoruan, revealed that the carrier has begun preparations, including opening an escrow account that it will manage together with state-owned airport operator, Angkasa Pura. The airport authorities will continue to collect the PSC for tickets issued before the policy announcement, he added.
Meanwhile, Sriwijaya Air has announced plans to launch a new full-service carrier, Nam Air, next year. Following Pacific Royale Airways and Lion Air’s new subsidiary, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air will be the third Indonesian carrier to venture into the full-service market, which is currently dominated by Garuda.
According to Sriwijaya Air president director Chandra Lie, the airline is still waiting for the authorities to issue the flight permit for Nam Air, but he hopes that the subsidiary will begin operations in 2013.
