REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will summon state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina over alleged monopoly in the sale of aviation turbine (avtur) fuel. He believed it has led to an increase in air tickets.
"In connection with air tickets, frankly speaking, I was shocked and this night I have just been informed of the fact that the avtur sold (at Soekarno-Hatta Airport) was monopolized by Pertamina," he said in a gala dinner marking the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) at the Jakarta Convention Hall on Monday night.
The president said he will ask the Pertamina president director about the issue. "Tomorrow morning I will summon the Pertamina president director. The choice is only one," he said.
He said he will ask Pertamina whether or not it could sell avtur at the same price as international price. "If it cannot do that I will call other competitor so there will be competition," he said.
He said the high avtur price disrupted the aviation industry in the country. It will directly have an impact on high air tickets.
PHRI Chairman Haryadi Sukamdani said earlier the performance of the tourism sector was disrupted by the soaring air tickets.