Lion Air Group has announced that it will begin halting operations on June 5 until further notice, after briefly serving limited domestic routes amid travel restrictions in Indonesia.
The decision will effectively put domestic and international flights served by the group’s airlines into a halt, namely low-cost carriers Lion Air and Wings Air, as well as full-service airline Batik Air.
In a statement issued yesterday, Lion Air Group’s spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said the decision was taken after evaluating current operations amid the implemented travel restrictions, which require travelers to fulfill a number of administrative requirements aligned to COVID-19 health protocols.
“There were many passengers who couldn’t proceed with their air travels as they were unable to provide the required documents, as per the terms and conditions set during the period of COVID-19,” Danang said in the statement.
The company will facilitate passengers who have already bought their tickets for a full refund or reschedule their flights without additional charges through its ticketing offices, call center or email.
Lion Air Group says it will continue monitoring developments in Indonesia with regards to COVID-19 while also preparing preventative measures to curb spread of the viral disease for when they commence their services after the indefinite hiatus.
In late April, Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry banned domestic and international commercial flights throughout Indonesia, following the government’s mudik homecoming exodus ban. Since then, Lion Air Group has been closing and reopening its domestic routes.
In mid-May, the ministry’s Air Transport Directorate General said it would take firm action against Batik Air, which allegedly violated provisions on limiting the number of passengers to around 50 percent from the full capacity.
In a circular issued on Monday, state-owned airport management firm PT Angkasa Pura II said that Soekarno-Hatta in Tangerang and Halim Perdanakusuma in East Jakarta are among the 17 airports managed by Angkasa Pura II where flight restrictions have been extended until June 7. The flight restrictions may be extended beyond that date if deemed necessary.
Under current flight restriction rules, only passengers working in certain essential sectors, such as defense, health, and logistics, as well as those with personal emergencies are permitted to fly on the significantly reduced number of domestic flights available in Indonesia. Those exempted from the restrictions are also required to present several documents, including a travel endorsement from one’s company/institution and a COVID-19-negative medical certificate.
Domestic passengers entering Jakarta are also required to present an Entry and Exit Permit (SKIM) upon arrival.
Outgoing international flights are still available in limited numbers, with international passengers entering Indonesia being subject to a more stringent health screening process.
Related — Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma extend flight restrictions until June 7
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