LION Air passengers increased during the Islamic holiday

PT Lion Mentari Airlines recorded an increase in the number of passengers during the  Islamic holiday this year, which is reach 1.2 million passengers, increase 20%compared with the last transportation year's period.

Edward Sirait, Managing Director of Lion Air, the frequency of flights during Islamic holiday transport until today reached 157 scheduled flights, an increase of 40.2% where in the past year serving 112 flights.

He revealed the number of seats to provide in the current year is about 30 thousand seats. Moreover, according to Edward, the level of on time performance (OTP) also showed a positive trend which reached 82%. "The OTP of Lion Air has exceeded the recommended average of 80%," said Edward Sirait.

According to Edward, during the Islamic holiday, Lion Air routes increased significantly are Surabaya-Balikpapan, Surabaya-Banjarmasin, Jakarta-Jogjakarta, Jakarta-Solo and Jakarta-Padang. The increase in the routes, he added, reaching 15% compared to a normal day.

Edward said they had added 200 seats per day during to serve the increasing demand for flights on the busy routes . "Lion Air also increase the frequency of four flights for four days with a total of 4800 additional seats to serve the reverse flow. We have budgeted an additional flight on demand," he said.

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Two INVESTORS interested in TAKING OVER the MANDALA Airlines

At least two investors are preparing to take over PT Mandala Airlines which is currently experiencing a financial crisis. They are PT LCNC which is a lessor of aircraft and also PT Manunggal Sejati Group Sinarmas Group.

Director General of Civil Aviation Ministry of Transportation, Herry Bhakti said to date only two prospective investors have expressed readiness to become Mandala Airlines investors. "There are offers from several companies but only two were serious," said Herry.

According to Herry Bhakti, PT LCNC is a joint venture between foreign and local. They have quite a lot of aircraft for lease. So if they take over Mandala Airlines, the operationalization of the airline could be expedited.

In the meantime, if up to 45 days from the closing operation, the Mandala Airlines is not also get the investors, then the route permit will be revoked. Permission it could actually be revoked after 30 days, but Ministry of Transportation has provided an extension to 15 days.

Herry Bhakti said Mandala Airlines is still negotiating. Finalization is expected to be done next week. Meanwhile, one of the shareholders of Mandala Airlines, Indigo Partners that is likely to release its shares. "The government only to facilitate, this problem of business to business, we can not interfere," said Herry.

Jusman Syafii Djamal, aviation practitioners say what needs to be done by Mandala Airlines greeted positively. Mandala Airlines also still has the potential to be developed. He said more than 51% of airlines in the United States became the major airlines after a corporate restructuring effort. "For example, Delta Airlines and Continental Airlines are now successfully become a big airline," said Jusman.

Djamal said the Mandala Airlines should be able to take advantage of a 45-day period provided by the commercial court to seek investors. If not capable, then the Mandala Airlines will be declared bankrupt.

But Jusman assess existing bright point of the rescue effort airline. It was seen from the investors who are interested and also a meeting with the creditors. If you've got investors, Mandala Airlines can return to the old strategy by working on medium aviation market by choosing routes fat. If not, Mandala should really pure aviation low cost carrier (LCC) in order to compete with other LCC airlines.

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BATAVIA air maiden flight Jakarta to MERAUKE

Batavia Air has launch a maiden flights from Jakarta to Merauke via Makassar and Jayapura (return), on Sunday (01/16/2011), with Boeing 737-300 aircraft numbered Y6-837 flight.

The aircraft departed from Jakarta at 22:45 pm (Western Indonesia Standard Time) and landed at Mopah Airport in Merauke at 08:55 (Easter Indonesia Standard Time) after a transit in Makassar and Jayapura. While flights from Merauke to Jakarta, leaving at 9:30 (Eastern Indonesia Standard Time) and arrive in Jakarta at 15.30 pm (Western Indonesia Standard Time). Flight routes from Jakarta to Merauke (return) will be operated every day.

"We see great development in eastern Indonesia in the field of economy. With supported by adequate transportation, we hope this development will continue to affect progress in other sectors. With the entry into Merauke, Batavia Air have connecting ranging from Sabang (Banda Aceh) to Merauke, "said President of Batavia Air Yudiawan Tansari.

Maiden flight to Merauke led by Batavia Air Operations Director Capt. Noer Effendi by bringing a group from Batavia Air. The delegation was greeted by government officials in the Merauke district.

Batavia Air currently operates more than 170 flights per day and serving 41 destinations in Indonesia and 6 international destinations, namely Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Guangzhou (China), Kuching (Malaysia), Singapore, and the latest Dili (Timor - Leste). Batavia Air has a fleet of 37 aircraft consisting of Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-400, Airbus A-319, Airbus A-320, and Airbus A330.

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MEDAN become one of the AirAsia HUB airport in INDONESIA

Indonesia AirAsia Airlines has announced the inauguration of Medan as one of the hub airport in Indonesia. The inauguration was marked by the maiden flight numbered QZ 8084 from Polonia Airport, Medan to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

'We saw Medan as a fast growing city. Medan are also a potential market for our airlines, especially in terms of number of passengers and flights that can be developed, both domestically and internationally", said Dharmadi, President Director of Indonesia AirAsia.

With the introduction of Medan as one of the hubs, then the hub airport of Indonesia AirAsia to five. Four others hub port are Cengkareng (Jakarta), Bandung (West Java), Denpasar (Bali), and Surabaya.

In fact, the flight of Indonesia AirAsia in Medan since August 24, 2004, and is now serving six routes, domestic and international, such as Medan (MES)-Bandung (BDO), Medan (MES) - Surabaya (SUB), Medan (MES) - Kuala Lumpur (KL), Medan (MES) - Penang (PEN), Medan (MES) - Bangkok (BKK), and Medan (MES) - Hong Kong (HKG).

With the status of a hub airport, said Communications Manager of Indonesia AirAsia, Audrey Progastama, the airline will prepare a special spare parts and technicians. From Medan, will also added domestic flights and international flight of Indonesia AirAsia.

According to Mulyana, Hub Station Manager in Medan, they already had 78 AirAsia staff that is ready to provide the best support. "We're committed to provide better service for passengers and our passengers, especially in Medan city, can experience an unforgettable experience when flying with our airline," said Mulyana.

On Saturday (Jan 15, 2010), Indonesia AirAsia fly the maiden flight from Medan to Bangkok using Airbus A320s. Planes depart from Medan at 15:05 pm and is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at 17:15 local time. Meanwhile, Medan - Hong Kong's inaugural flight is scheduled to take place January 16, 2011 at 14.30 and arrive at 19:35 pm Hong Kong time.

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Implementation of Bar Code Boarding Passes by Airlines

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a milestone in passenger traffic with the implementation of 100% worldwide with 2D bar code boarding passes (BCBP). BCBP replaces the previous generation of efficient and less costly magnetic stripe boarding pass.

"The magnetic strip boarding passes go on the way to a history museum next to the paper ticket. After the e-ticketing in 2008, switching to BCBP the next important step to the passengers more convenience and choice. Completing many tasks during the journey will now take seconds with the swipe of a bar code," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO.

The completion of the industry, offers passengers more choice in the check-in counter at an airport, at home, in a kiosk, or mobile device. BCBP also allows airlines to a single pass printing boarding several flights, simplifying travel for passengers in transit or those who travel on different airlines problem. In addition, BCBP opens the door for automated access to premium services. For example, with a scan of a BCBP, eligible passengers to access the fast track to safety or lounges.

Airlines issue over 2 billion boarding passes every year. The conversion of printed 2D BCBP was a five-year project and save the industry $ 1,500,000,000 per year. With the airlines to offer more, to receive the possibility of the barcode with a mobile device, we are well on the way to travel without papers, "said Bisignani.

Transition history

Boarding passes with magnetic strips that have been used since 1983, has several limitations for airlines and passengers that the bar code. Boarding passes expensive tape printer is at the airport check-in desk or in a cabin where passengers can receive their boarding card limits. The boarding passes with magnetic strips also expensive and exclusive role.

In the 1990s some companies to switch to one-dimensional barcodes (1D), which uses a series of parallel and perpendicular lines, similar to UPC codes, in order to identify products of the camp. This 1D was first used in the rail industry in the 1960s and are able to provide a limited amount of data.

The industry standard IATA airlines in 2005 is one of the two-dimensional (2D), known as the PDF417 code. This is more information on the basis of drawings of squares, dots and other geometric patterns. This code allows flexibility in size, ease of code reading and the support of many different types of scanners and printers. Print 2D code also allows the encryption and many functions.

The industry in 2008 agreed on a bar code standard for paperless, mobile passes. Data from the printed boarding card and mobile phone are the same, but the code looks like mobile devices is slightly different. Mobile 2D data can use the Aztec, or QR codes. About 30 airlines now offer mobile BCBP and usage should increase significantly in the short term.

After reaching the target of 100% bar code boarding passes (BCBP) was a joint effort of airlines, airports, service providers and IATA. More than 2,000 airports on board and  implementation was done by the StB Matchmaker. A secure web portal, StB Matchmaker allows airlines and airports for the exchange to prioritize, and coordinate requests for application effectively plan the use of a global standard. The tool provides information on 3,000 airport terminals and more than 200 airlines, creating a global database of over 10,000 records. The StB Matchmaker system will be expanded next year to facilitate the projects of Fast Travel and the IATA e-services.

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Airline optimistic, airline business continues to increase next year

The number of Air Asia passengers up to the third quarter of 2010 has reached 2.8 million passengers. By the end of 2010, this number is expected to reach of 4 million passengers.

This belief is based on the achievement of Air Asia in 2009 are able to fly 3.5 million passengers. This amount can be achieved with a total fleet of 10 Airbus A-320 and 3 Boeing-373. In 2010, Air Asia has added four Airbus A-320. These conditions make Air Asia optimistic target of 4 million passengers by the end of 2010 was achieved.

The total number of passengers of Air Asia during 2010 supported by some flight routes, such as Jakarta - Denpasar, Jakarta - Singapore, Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur, Perth - Denpasar. Unfortunately, Audrey does not mention the number of passengers for each route. "I do not know, but the fourth route is the most passengers" said Audrey Progastama, Corporate Communications Manager Air Asia

Next year, Air Asia at least the target number of passengers for international flights can be increased up to 4.5%. This is due in 2011 will the government have imposed a fiscal free for international flights.

Meanwhile, Nurmaria Sarosa, Head of Corporate Communication, Mandala Air, said that this year passengers of Mandala Air as many as 2.5 million people. This number decreased from the year 2009, of 3 million passengers. This decrease was caused by a fleet reduction of Mandala Air, from 7 fleets in 2009, to 5 fleets in 2010.

According Nurmaria, the number of passengers in 2010 which reached 2.5 million people supported by regional routes, such as Jakarta-Singapore, Jakarta - Hong Kong and Jakarta - Macau. These routes accounted for approximately 20% of Mandala Air passengers this year.

In 2011, Mandala Air is targeting to fly 3, 5 million passengers. Increasing the target is in line with the plan to increase the number of airlines. Mandala Air plans to add about 5 airlines later in 2011. This amount is based on Ministry of Transportation regulations that require each airline to have a fleet of at least 10 flights by January 12, 2012.

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AirAsia has reached 100 million passengers

AirAsia has reached their target to  transport 100 million passengers to various countries. The target was reached within a period of 8.5 years.

The announcement of the 100 million passengers was held in Ecoba Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday (13/10). Passengers to-100 million won by Irma Dewi (23) from Indonesia. She is entitled to have 100 AirAsia free tickets to all routes with lifetime validity period.

"Initially we only dreamed of creating a cheap flight so that everyone can fly anywhere. Now that dream come true, our passengers have reached 100 million people, "said CEO Group of AirAsia Group, Tony Fernandes in announcing the passengers to-100 million.

In 2013, Tony said, the target is 200 million passengers. AirAsia currently operates in 139 routes with a around 1,000 pilots, assisted by about 7,000 staffs. "The first time when we operate, we had only two aircrafts and 200 staffs. There are many routes that should we open due to a big potential, "he said.

According to CEO AirAsia Indonesia, Dharmadi, AirAsia is now focusing on international routes because of domestic airlines have taken over by the other airline company. After developing international routes from Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bali, AirAsia will focus on Makassar. Passengers from Indonesia around 330,000 per month. Until the end of September recorded 2.8 million passenger from the target of 4 million passengers.

Garuda Indonesia needs special terminal

The airline company which has the second largest number of passengers in Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia, needs a special terminal at the terminal of Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta), Jakarta. The terminal is to anticipate the development of the airline business is expected to increase almost doubled in 2014 later.

In the year 2009, the total number of passengers carried by Garuda Indonesia more than 10 million people.

According to President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsah Sattar, currently Garuda Indonesia already operates 74 aircrafts and by 2014 its fleet will increase to 116 units. Garuda Indonesia also has selected Jakarta as a base of operations. "We need a dedicated terminal for us," said the Emir in Jakarta. Nevertheless he was evasive that Garuda Indonesia is also required to participate to build its own terminal at the Soekarno Hatta airport. "Too much for it," said Emir.

For time being, Garuda Indonesia has formed a team to advise the Board of Directors. Angkasa Pura II as the organizer of Soekarno-Hatta airport.

As is known, PT. Angkasa Pura II will create a grand new design for the Soekarno Hatta airport. Grand design is expected to be completed later this year and will be implemented next year. Indonesia Minister of State Owned Entreprises, Mustafa Abubakar also have to allow private parties to participate in developing and managing Soekarno Hatta airport. Some news said, Schipol airport management (Netherland), Changi airport management (Singapore) and the airline Air Asia Group is interested in developing the biggest airports in Indonesia.

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Garuda Indonesia: Osaka-Denpasar 7 times a week

To meet increasing market demand and in terms of improving service to their customer, starting on Thursday (07/10/2010), Garuda Indonesia has added frequencies of Osaka-Denpasar flight route (return) from the previous 5 times a week to 7 times a week.

Garuda Indonesia flights Denpasar-Osaka scheduled every day, departure from Denpasar (GA 882) at 0:55 pm and arrives in Osaka at 08.30 local time.

The plane departed again from Osaka (GA 883) at 11.00 local time and arriving in Denpasar at 17:15 pm. This flight using Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 257 seat capacity of 42 business-class and 215 economy class.

"The addition of Denpasar-Osaka flight frequency from five times to seven times a week is a Garuda Indonesia effort to meet the increasing of market demand as the continued growth of traffic between the two cities and to provide convenience for customer," said Garuda Indonesia VP Corporate Communications.

Osaka-Denpasar equipped by Garuda Indonesia Experience service, a unique service that combines the uniqueness of Indonesia in all flight services, from pre service, in, and post-flight.

In this flight, passengers will be served by cabin crew from Japan who is ready to assist the passengers in the ease of communication or need assistance during the flight.

In addition, the airline also offers on-board the Immigration Service. Through this service, passengers can comfortably managing the immigration document granting a visa on arrival on the plane so that the passengers do not need to queue at the immigration desk on arrival.

Today, besides serving the Osaka-Denpasar flight route, Garuda Indonesia also serve other cities in Japan, the Nagoya-Denpasar, 3 times a week, Tokyo-Denpasar 7 times a week, and Tokyo-Jakarta 7 times a week.