Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Ready to Implement Open Sky

TEMPO Interactive,
MAKASSAR:The Sultan Hasanuddin Airport it is ready to implement the limited open sky policy. “The facility and personnel are ready. Even today our airport is ready," said the Airport’s administration head, M. Sidabutar, contacted yesterday.


The government has confirmed that five airports in Indonesia will be ready for the ASEAN Open Sky policy in 2015. They are the Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Polonia (Medan), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Juanda (Surabaya) and Sultan Hasanuddin (Makassar) airports.


Sidabutar said Sultan Hasanuddin Airport’s readiness could be seen it flight and airplane parking areas for both big and small aircraft. “There are 22 parking stands that can accommodate 22 more stands. Right now, around 13 stands are used,” he said.


Ali Ridho, PT Merpati Makassar’s district manager, welcomed the open sky plan. He said that before the policy, Indonesia’s airports had implemented a reciprocal principle. With this principle, foreign airlines entering Indonesia must consider whether a domestic airline can enter that country as well. If not, foreign airlines will not enter Indonesia. “This policy will affect regional revenue because more tourists will come,” he said.


La Tunreng, chief of the Indonesian Businessmen Association (APINDO) in South Sulawesi, also supported the plan. “Businessmen often fly frequently to do business,” he said.


According to Tunreng, the policy will allow businessmen more opportunities for air travel, while more budget plane tickets will appeal to those on a limited budget.



SYAMSULMARLIN