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.

Picture:google.com

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.

Mandala Airlines threatened degraded

Ministry of Transportation requested PT Mandala Airlines to immediately increase the number of its aircraft until the end of 2011. If not, the airline is threatened liquidated or degraded into charter airline in early 2012.

Director General of Civil Aviation Herry Bakti S Gumay reminded Act No. 1 / 2009 about Aviation, requires that all scheduled airline company has to operate a minimum of ten aircraft began in 2012. Five of the aircraft must be owned status, and other five aircraft may rent.

According to Herry many of Mandala Airlines planes has returned to the lessor  as the company policy. "The aircraft rental rates once considered too expensive, so Mandala Airlines looks for a new lessor. Currently Mandala only operate five units planes and all its are rental," said Herry. The five aircraft operated by Mandala Airlines are Airbus A320s and A319s. Herry added that if Mandala Airlines can not buy five planes more until the end of 2011, they must merge with another airline or turned into charter airline.

On June 21, Mandala Airlines has launched Online Fly’n Shop and  Diono Nurjadin – President Director of Mandala Airlines-  mention until the end of this year they will operate ten aircrafts. Currently Mandala Airlines has order 25 of Airbus A320s which will arrival based on the company needs. "Indeed for time being all of our aircraft are lease. But until the end of 2011, we will comply with a minimum of five owned aircraft and five chartered planes," said Diono.

Mandala Airlines has open many new international routes. For instance, on June 25, the airline serving the route from Jakarta to Singapore and Balikpapan to Singapore using Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 seats. Followed by opening a route from Jakarta to Hong Kong on July 19, 2010 and from Jakarta to Macau in July 21, 2010 using an Airbus A319 with 144 seats capacity.

This year the target of Mandala Airlines can transport of 4 million passengers. Rose by 500,000 passengers compared to the realization of 3.5 million passengers last year.

4 of 12 Indonesia airports excess capacity

Aviation industry and the number of passenger planes in Indonesia continues to grow significantly even beyond the capacity of existing airports. According to PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) or AP II, four of the twelve airports under its management have excess capacity. According to Director of AP II Tri S Sunoko the four airports which excess the capacity are Soekarno-Hatta Cengkareng - Jakarta, Polonia - Medan, Sultan Thana - Syafiuddin Jambi and Minangkabau Airport - Padang.

Polonia Airport in Medan, North Sumatera with a capacity of 900 000 passengers, are now serving 4.9 million passengers per year. Then Sultan Thana which has a capacity of 700 000 passengers have 900,000 passengers per year. While the Minangkabau Airport has served 2.8 million passengers per year, while its capacity is only 1.2 million passengers. "While the Soekarno-Hatta airport has a capacity of 22 million passengers have been serving 37 million passengers in 2009. That's why we will continue to increase the capacity by build a new airport terminal," said Tri.

The airport development projects and the construction of the new airport is ready to be done is Polonia Airport, which will be replaced with Kualanamu Airport. In the next two years, the airport is ready for use.

Last year, Lion Air has the domestic passengers at most 13.3 million (30.7%), Garuda Indonesia, as many as 8.39 million (19.28%), followed by Batavia Air around 6.10 million (14.02%) . While for the international route, most dominant is Garuda Indoensia Airlines with transporting 2.21 million (44.74%), followed by Indonesia AirAsia 1.98 million (40.09%), and the third position Lion Air around 383 584 passengers (7.74%).

Sriwijaya Air allocated 1260 seats to Australia

PT Sriwijaya Air was to be allocated 1260 seats for the opening of new routes to Australia. According to the Corporate Communication Manager of Sriwijaya Air, Ruth Hanna Simatupang, they already expressed interest to open a route from Jakarta to Perth since last year.

"We want to serve the route once a day by using Boeing 737-800 NG with maximum capacity of 180 seats. Our request was already submitted to the Indonesia Ministry of Transportation," said Hanna. She hopes the government can provide assurance of providing reserved seats at the end of this year, so that new routes could be served next year. "For a new route we are still engaged in preparing, while waiting for the Boeing 737-800 NG which will come next year," she added.

As is known, the Government of Indonesia and Australia agreed on an additional 4000 seats per week that can be utilized by the airlines of each country. Besides Sriwijaya Air, the other airline company PT Garuda Indonesia is also need as much as 1110 seats. Emirsyah Satar – President Director of Garuda Indonesia – said they want to add 666 seats to the route from Jakarta to Sydney from the frequency of four times a week to daily flights and 444 seats for Jakarta to Melbourne from three times a week to five times a week. For the record, Garuda Indonesia was already serving two routes using Airbus A330-200 with a capacity of 222 seats.

Citilink will separate from Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia plans to spin off (separation) of its strategic business units, Citilink. Spin-off will be done after the initial public offering (IPO) which scheduled on fourth quarter 2010.

"The most fast of the spin-off is in the second half of next year. If IPO will done this year, it takes approximately 3-6 months to conduct activities such as spin-off," said Director of Strategic and Technology Garuda Indonesia, Elisa Lumbantoruan.

According to Elisa, the spin-off was conducted aiming to isolate the resources side, as well as from the operational side of the two airlines. This is because the working culture of the two airlines will be very different due to class differences of the two airlines. Garuda Indonesia will go into Full Service class, while Citilink join in No-Frills or Low Cost Carrier (LCC) class. "In addition, the spin-off also can simplify the management of capital. For example make it easier to find partners or investors”, Elisa explained.

Citilink’s spin off has been scheduled since 2009. However. until now the spin off plan is intercept by a number of requirements in order to get SIUP (Aviation Business License) from the Ministry of Transportation, among them are the business plan and the procurement of the fleet. Since not get the SIUP yet, currently Citilink still become one with Garuda Indonesia. Citilink have the same flight number with Garuda Indonesia, which begins with the letters GA.

Garuda Indonesia cargo capacity up to 7 tons

Indonesia airline, Garuda Indonesia is preparing cargo capacity up to 7 tons each time flying for the benefit of various fresh fishery exports commodities from North Sulawesi. "Exports that can be served by Garuda Indonesia is mainly to Japan, which became one of the country potential buyer of fishery products from North Sulawesi," said Head of the Main Branch of Garuda Indonesia Manado, Shidiki Iribian.

Shidiki said exports could be served by Garuda Indonesia mainly fresh commodities like fresh tuna and other fisheries, as market demand. "Fresh fishery commodities require fast delivery, and Garuda Indonesia is able to ensure delivery time approximately 10 hours from Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado to Japan," said Shidiki. The delivery time is still pretty long, because the flight had to go through Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport first and then sent to buyers in Japan.

Possible additional cargo capacity for air freight will be reviewed to take account also of the passengers’ luggage. "If this fishery commodity export is increasing, Garuda Indonesia will find a way out so that delivery to overseas can be done," said Shidiki.

Head of Foreign Trade, North Sulawesi, Hanny Wajong, said North Sulawesi needs additional export capacity by using air transport because of the tendency of increasing the performance of fishery products in recent years. "Some foreign countries have inquiry of fresh fishery products. Therefore, in this case air transport by Garuda Indonesia, is very important," said Hanny.

Mandala Airlines lowering the service to minimum service (no frills)

PT Mandala Airlines is lowering the service type from medium service to minimum service (no frills). Director General of Civil Aviation Ministry of Communications, Herry Bakti S Gumay ensure that Mandala Airlines already reported the service changes on July 13, 2010 to government.

"Mandala Airlines decided to reduce its services. After they explain the reason, we can accept. But they must be consistent with the request, should not have asked for no frills but still apply a medium rate," said Herry Bhakti. After obtaining approval to reduce the type of service, as of July 14, 2010, Mandala Airlines should reduce the charge for groups of no frills.

According to Minister of Communications Decree No. KM 26/2010 concerning Tariff Setting Limits On Economy Class aircraft, no frills airlines are only allowed to apply 85% tariff from upper limit tariff, while for medium services allowed to apply of 90%.

Herry Bhakti said, when the rules of the upper limit tariff applied on June 1, 2010, the government gives the transition and adjustment for budget airlines to follow the rules of the upper limit of the tariff. So even found the airlines violate the tariff, Government only admonished the concerned airlines not to repeat the same thing.

"At the time when this rules was imposed the airline company such as Lion Air, Travel Express Aviation, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Mandala Airlines and Metro Batavia has break the rules.But we only reprimanded and not impose sanctions because it is still in transition stage. But from now on if there is another violation, we must drop the sanctions," said Herry Bhakti.

The sanction in accordance with regulations ranging from a reduction of frequency, freezing the flight routes, and postpone of licensing of new routes. "We also will not allow another airline to change the type of service than it has been reported. The airline must provide such services at least until six months, a new can change the type of service," he concluded.

Lion Air focus to Perth and Sydney, Australia

Although not included in the removal of the embargo, PT Lion Mentari Airlines (Lion Air) are not bothered by the possibility is not given the green light to fly over Europe. The owner of Lion Air, Rusdi Kirana said, Lion Air was precisely in the middle of the focus to be able to fly to Perth and Sydney, Australia in the near future.

“We have no problem does not pass the presentation in front of the EU commission. Yet all this time we are also not interested to fly there yet," said Lion Air General Director Edward Sirait, in Jakarta.

Lion Air is preparing the licensing procedures to be able to fly to Australia, including preparing the necessary documents when later the Australian aviation authorities, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), will visit Jakarta to conduct an audit on performance of this airlines that choose the type of service no frills.

"Our plan will fly to Australia from Denpasar, Bali, which is attractive to tourists from there. We hope the end of this year could be realized, but it all depends on the other side," he said.

On June 30, 2010, Lion Air had received two Boeing 737-900 ER which flown directly from the manufacturer in Seattle, the United States with registration number PK-LOW and PK-LGW. So far,  Lion Air already operates 36 Boeing 737-900 ER of 178 similar aircraft which has ordered. Until the end of this year, Lion Air is targeting 43 units can operate the aircraft type was.

Sriwijaya Air ready to compete with new airlines

PT Sriwijaya Air is ready to compete with new airlines which just open the operation. Commercial Director of PT Sriwijaya Air Toto Sursatyo say, within the next 10 years the Indonesian domestic passenger market will grow twice than the realization of 43.5 million passengers last year. The potential is obviously tempting for the new airline to be able to enjoy it.

"Currently there are now 400 regular aircraft operating in Indonesia. With passenger growth doubled, then it required 800 aircraft in 2020. The question now is, can the existing airlines meet the demand. So the industry really need a new player," said Toto.

However, Toto cautioned prospective new airline to set up a large capital with a solid business development plan before entering the airline industry. "New airline must be qualified, credible, and enough capital. Do not enter this industry if you just try it, could cripple," he added.

As is known, earlier this year Minister of Transportation has received a SIUP request from the eleven airlines. The company is FireFly, Fly Cargo, Megantara Air, Jatayu Airlines, North Aceh Air, Sultra Air, Phoenix, Love Air Services, Bee Air Charter, Spirit Global Service and Life Air.

However, the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) requested that the government stopped publishing SIUP until governments improve airport infrastructure has been assessed as unable to compensate for the increasing number of aircraft and passenger growth.

Garuda Indonesia re-open flight route to Hong Kong

Garuda Indonesia Airlines to reopen direct flights route from Denpasar, Indonesia to Hong Kong on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. At that point Garuda Indonesia is targeting to bring Hong Kong’s tourists around 2,500 per month.

According to General Manager of Garuda Indonesia, Denpasar Jubi Prasetyo, the target could be achieved if the load factor ranges from 70% to 75%. Of the potential that exists in Hong Kong, predicted to be able to achieve as much as the load factor 80% to 85%.

"Based on the market potential in Hong Kong, we will be able to achieve the load factor of 80 to 85 per cent," said Jubi after releasing the maiden flight to Hong Kong at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. The opening of this route, he said, is part of Garuda Indonesia strategy in developing the network in 2010, while anticipating the increase of tourist arrivals, especially from Hong Kong and China to Bali.

On schedule, Garuda Indonesia would serve the Denpasar-Hong Kong route four times a week, ie Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Even that frequency could be increased to every day if the market make possible.

Batavia Air maiden flight to Jeddah

Batavia Air will make maiden flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday (May 23, 2010), using wide-body aircraft, Airbus A330-200. The delegation of this maiden flight will depart at 10:00 am from Terminal 2D Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta. The flight will estimate landed at 16:45 local time at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport Jeddah. Batavia Air will fly nonstop from Jakarta-Jeddah-Jakarta everyday and Jakarta-Jeddah-Riyadh twice a week every Monday and Wednesday.

"The flight to the holy land of Muslims is a serious effort in Batavia Air to expand internationally. The aim of our market share was the Muslims to worship 'Umrah and the workers who will work in Saudi Arabia. A very large market share is not yet all been taken by other airlines serving this route beforehand, "said Eddy Haryanto, Public Relations Manager Batavia Air.

In this maiden flight also joined the Deputy Minister of Transportation Bambang Susantono, officials from the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Religious Affairs officials, and several partners Batavia Air. Batavia Air currently operates over 170 flights per day and serving 39 destinations across Indonesia, and Guangzhou (China), Kuching (Malaysia), Singapore and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Batavia Air has a fleet of 39 aircraft consisting of Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-400, Airbus A-319, Airbus A-320, and Airbus A330

Mandala Airlines starting to sell international flight tickets.

The national airline company, Mandala Airlines has confirmed to open at the same time, four international routes on June 25, 2010. Even the airline have sold tickets starting Tuesday. The route was from Jakarta to Singapore (return), Balikpapan to Singapore (return), Jakarta-Macau (return) and Jakarta to Hong Kong (return).

President Director of Mandala Airlines, Diono Nurjadin stated that the opening of a regional service was a response to increased demand for business travel and tourism. "Indonesia, Singapore, Macau and in Hong Kong has become a center of business activity and tourism in the region for decades. We are pleased to offer an alternative air travel at competitive prices," said Diono in Jakarta.

Mandala Airlines will be flying from Balikpapan to Singapore and from Jakarta to Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong. Flights route from Balikpapan to Singapore give an alternative flight options with very competitive prices, as well as for flights to Hong Kong. "We also offer air service between Macau and Jakarta, which is the main goal to be able to enjoy the fun and spend the holidays. With competitive rates, passengers can save to spend," Diono said.

Promo price offered to provide safe air travel but still affordable. To celebrate the first international airline, Mandala Airlines provides a very affordable price to the prospective passengers who book tickets in advance. Mandala Airlines launching promo prices begin Tuesday (May 11, 2010) until May 18 to June 25, 2010 flight period until 30 November 2010.

Fare flights to Hong Kong and Macau starting price of IDR 899,900/ticket, for routes from Jakarta to Singapore starting from IDR 99,000 and Balikpapan to Singapore from IDR 499,000. Diono mentioned, Mandala Airlines has been waiting for the right to serve regional routes since 2009. "Many travel partners and loyal passengers who kept asking when the Mandala Airlines will be an international flight. Now, after a Mandala Airlines is recognized as a role model in terms of international safety standards in Indonesia, we are ready to serve international routes," he said.

Batavia Air will add regional and international routes

Batavia Air is planning to add the regional and international routes to face the open-sky policy which starting in 2015. "Networking should be build up as widely as possible because the outside competitor would come in," said Commerce Director of PT Metro Batavia, Hasudungan Pandiangan.

The flight routes are to Perth (Australia), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Dili (Timor Leste), Tokyo (Japan), Hong Kong, Seoul ( South Korea), Dubai (UAE) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). "The nearest route to open is to Dili via Denpasar, and also to Jeddah. Jeddah route is planning to open on May 5," he said.

Hasudungan optimistic that Batavia Air is able to face the competition in the year 2015, since they begin the operation eight years ago, has a rapid growth. "Formerly, Batavia Air only have four planes," he said. To expand their market, Batavia Air also targeting as a national airline company to revoke the ban permission by the European Union. One of the effort is no longer using Boeing 737 series 200. "Now there are two fleets left," Hasudungan said.

Batavia Air is also committed to improving the delays that are still frequently occur. Batavia Air has flight frequency as much as 175 times per day to 38 regional routes and three international routes, namely Singapore, Kuching and Guangzhou. For the year 2010, Batavia Air has target to served the passengers around 7.8 million people, increase from the realization in 2009 as many as 6.5 million passengers.

Indonesia Airlines Ready to Compete with Foreign Airlines

Aviation liberalization policy (Open Sky) for commercial aircraft will take place in 2015, but the big five of Indonesia airline companies certainly ready to compete with foreign airlines. Later, each airline would be free to fly point to point from one country to another country without being limited at the airport that has been determined. Director General of Civil Aviation Ministry of Transportation, Herry Bakti Singayudha Gumay say, five national airline has been ready to carry out the implementation of Open Sky.

The five major Indonesian national airline is Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, Batavia Air and Mandala Airlines. "They have proposed to open domestic routes. Much has been approved," said Herry Bakti. For example, Ministry if Transportation also approved a number of plans the opening of Mandala Airline routes to neighboring countries. "Similarly, Sriwijaya Air, which plans to open Palembang-Kuala Lumpur route had been abandoned by AirAsia," he said.

With the start incoming of those national airlines fleet, the ability of airlines to make expansion even greater. Including opening the route to go abroad. Herry also explained that the airline will be allowed to make flights between airports in one country to another point to point, without being limited frequency of flights. "At this time there had been such a flight. But it is still limited in frequency and on a bilateral agreement," said Herry.

Garuda Indonesia add a Boeing to Papua

Indonesia national airline company, Garuda Indonesia Airways, or GIA will add a Boeing to Papua to become the three aircraft that will serve passengers from Timika, Biak and Jayapura to Makassar and Jakarta. The three planes as said by General Manager of Garuda Indonesia Jayapura Ucok Cemerlang are two types of Boeing 737 series Boeing 800 and one 737 series of 400.

He explained that the flight route from Jakarta - Makassar – Timika (return) will served by Boeing 737 series 400, while the route Jakarta – Makassar - Biak (return) and Jakarta - Makassar – Jayapura (return) is using Boeing 737 series 800.

According to Ucok Cemerlang, especially for the route from Jakarta - Makassar Biak and Jakarta – Makassar – Jayapura - will take effect from 1 May, while the route from Jakarta – Makassar – Timika (return) has been in effect since March 28 last. "With this route changes Garuda Indonesia does not serve the route of Jayapura – Timika anymore, or vice versa," he said.

Previously, Ucok said, the flight path was served by Garuda Indonesia’s route Jakarta – Denpasar – Timika – Jayapura (return). Ucok admit, that the flight schedule changes made after the feasibility study as well as efforts to improve the public service in Papua. In fact, according to him, in the future, the passengers can travel in one day to other cities in eastern Indonesia. "Makassar will made as the service center of eastern Indonesia," said Ucok Cemerlang.

Sriwijaya Air Projected Become Premium Airline

Sriwijaya Air carriers are now gradually began to project themselves to move into a premium airline. This premium segment chosen in anticipation of the implementation of the open air policy as Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Open Sky Policy) in 2015.

"Gradually we will increase to the premium class (full service) to serve 35 existing flights routes," said Public Relations Manager Sriwijaya Air, Ruth Hanna Simatupang. She asserted, the target of Sriwijaya Air was facing ASEAN Open Sky Policy by increasing the maximum passenger service, one of them by switching to a premium airline. The plan, gradually Sriwijaya Air is also going to replace the old fleet of Boeing 737-300 to Boeing 400 was replaced with the latest series.

According to Ruth, with a rising class into premium airline, Sriwijaya Air management to improve customer service even better that the previous focus on middle segment. "We are very realistic with an automatic grade of all services should be maximum," she said.

Regarding the target load factor, with the premium grade, automatic target recognition would be increased again from the first time in 80 percent of middle class and up to 89 percent in premium class. Sriwijaya Air, in the last two years has carried 4.8 million passengers in 2008. While in 2009 the number of passengers carried to 5.4 million. "In 2010 our target was expected to carry passengers 6 to 7 million people with a first class premium airline," she said.

Batavia Air : Jakarta - Solo

On Monday (March 15, 2010), Batavia Air began maiden flight Jakarta – Solo (return). By using Boeing 737-400 aircraft with flight number 7P-301, this plane will depart from Jakarta at 17:45 pm and landed at Solo Adisumarmo Airport at 18:45 pm. The flight from Solo to Jakarta, leaving at 06.05 pm the next day. This direct flight Jakarta - Solo will be operated every day.

"Solo is the 38th domestic city to flown by Batavia Air. As a city of culture and cultural centers in Central Java and the city of batik industry was famous throughout the world, is incomplete if it does not open a Batavia Air flight to this city. Departure time early enough from Solo provides the opportunity for Solo people who will do business in Jakarta and can return to Solo in the afternoon, "said the Public Relations Manager Batavia Air, Eddy Haryanto.

Batavia Air currently entered into the category I (one) in terms of flight safety. This category is the highest ranking issued by the Department of Transportation to assess the level of an airline flight safety. Every 3 (three) months, this ranking is always evaluated to maintain confidence in the security and safety in flight.

Currently Batavia Air operates over 170 flights per day and serve destinations in 38 cities throughout Indonesia, and Guangzhou (China), Kuching (Malaysia) and Singapore. Batavia Air has a fleet of 38 aircraft consisting of Boeing 737-200, Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-400, Airbus A-319, Airbus A-320 and Airbus A330. Batavia Air is a low-fare carriers and using an electronic ticket.

April 2010, Wings Air open Surabaya-Pontianak route

Starting April 2010, the airline company Wings Air will open a route Surabaya to Pontianak (return). The opening of the flight route Surabaya-Pontianak is to strengthen the routes in the central region of Indonesia.

"The target of this new route will be worked out after a new fleet of ATR 72-500 aircraft with a capacity of 72 passengers have arrived and are ready to operate next month," said General Director of Wings Air, Edward Sirait. He said, opening the route Surabaya to Pontianak is the first time explored by Wings Air in West Kalimantan region. In addition, the route has considerable potential that few other airlines also opened the same route.

"This route is actually pretty good market, but do not use the big planes," Edward Sirait said. He added, by not using large aircraft so indirectly it can cost down of the avtur. In addition, the use of middle size aircraft (capacity 72 passengers) is very effective in capturing passengers Pontianak.

Previously, Wings Air has also been targeting the short routes because of high market share, such as Yogyakarta-Bandung (return), Surabaya-Yogyakarta (return), and Surabaya-Semarang (return). In the future, Wings Air also has plan to open another route in Sumatra, such as Medan, Palembang, and Padang.

Two airlines companies are reluctant to shift to Terminal 1C

Two airlines companies which placed in Terminal 1A Soekarno-Hatta International Airport are reluctant to shift to Terminal 1C. They even admitted not knowing the shift instruction flight activity center officially. Lion Air General Director Edward Sirait not know the concept of the transfer. So far, negotiations are still limited to plan an informal conversation. "Officially, we just do not know," he said in Jakarta. Therefore, he considered the proposed transfer of carriers into the new terminal through the revitalization of Rp20 billion it should be designed with a clear order not to cause new problems."If it was offered right concept we are ready to move," he said.

However, he argued, if Lion Air is required to break the flight activity at the two terminals, PT Angkasa Pura II should provide compensation. Because the activity in the two terminals will increase operational costs. "We did not refuse. But if we're in a two-terminal, would increase costs because we have to add new workers. Not to mention the other extra for wearing the two places. So, it seems there must be compensation," Edward Sirait explained.

Public Relations Manager of Batavia Air, Eddy Haryanto said, moving to Terminal 1C is still considered as a discourse for the national carrier. Because the removal of all the airline's previous activities Terminal 1A inhabiting it would require huge funds. "That still discourse because the funds needed is enormous. For the mass transfer of the funds it needs I do not know," he explained.

The two airlines is planned to be shifted to Terminal 1C in March 2010. Transfer of flights transporting activity was carried out because of denseness carry passengers at Terminal 1A."We have negotiated with Batavia Air. We also have to negotiate with Lion Air. They were willing to move to terminal C. I hope the process is completed next month," said Executive General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Hariyanto.