I have flown numerous domestic flights in Indonesia over the past 25 years. The larger cities have jetways at the terminals. New terminal 3 in CGK (Jakarta) had them from the outset (2011), but I have never seen them used during dozens of Air Asia flights to/from that terminal before its recent upgrade/expansion (2016). Nor have I seen any other airlines use them.

I flew into and out of Batam (BTH) this month and our plane was parked about as far from the terminal as possible despite several empty jetways. Long walk under a mid-day sun at 1 degree north latitude.

So, I'm wondering if low-cost carriers tend to avoid jetways because they are charged a fee for them by the airport. Any solid info on this? Is it possible that a jetway is cheaper than hauling out a ladder (and arranging for a tarmac bus)?