Indonesia Enhances Oversight of Online Flight Ticket Sales

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has stepped up oversight of online flight ticket sales, calling on platforms to comply with national aviation regulations. The policy aims to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition within the country’s aviation industry.

The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, reported findings from its latest evaluation of Online Travel Agents (OTAs). The review identified indications of ticket sales practices that are not in line with Indonesia’s aviation regulations.

Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 17, 2026 stressed that all ticketing platforms must follow the legal framework governing airfare policies. He underlined that compliance with tariff regulations is essential to maintain transparency and protect passenger rights.

Authorities found several violations, including hidden charges such as “service fees” or “convenience fees” imposed without official approval. Some platforms were also discovered to include optional add-ons, such as delay insurance, automatically without explicit consent from users.

In addition, regulators highlighted the lack of clear pricing details provided to customers. In many cases, ticket breakdowns were not fully disclosed, leaving passengers uncertain about the total cost of their purchases.

The government also raised concerns over the practice of “indirect cabotage,” in which foreign airlines transport passengers between domestic destinations through international connections. This practice is prohibited under Indonesian law as it undermines national sovereignty and disadvantages local airlines.

“This practice not only violates state sovereignty and harms national air transport companies, but also has the potential to harm consumers who do not understand the connecting flight scheme.” Lukman said. He added that such arrangements can create confusion for passengers handling connecting international flights independently.

To address these issues, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is coordinating with other ministries to impose sanctions on non-compliant platforms. The government also urged travelers to carefully review ticket details and consider purchasing directly from airlines for better safety and transparency.