Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Adita Irawati announced on Friday (26/4/2024) the reduction of  international airports from 34 to 17 to bolster the national aviation industry post-COVID-19 pandemic. 

The decision, outlined in Transportation Minister Decree Number 31/2024 issued on 2 April 22024, reduces the number of international airports from 34 to 17, as reported by antaranews.com.

Adita said that the aim is to revitalize the national aviation sector, a decision made in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions under the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

India, with a population of 1.42 billion, has 18 international airports, while the United States manages 18 international airports with a population of 399.9 million.

The Ministerial Decree aims to protect international flights post-pandemic by establishing airports as international hubs within the country itself, according to Adita.

However, airports primarily serving domestic flights can still temporarily accommodate international flights for specific purposes.

The move addresses the inefficiency in airport operations, with some international airports serving only short-haul flights to a limited number of countries, and others having irregular or no international flight services at all.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)