Soekarno-Hatta Airport Set to Open Indonesia's First Low-Cost Carrier Terminal
Jakarta. Indonesia's first low-cost carrier terminal for international flights will open at the country's main airport outside Jakarta on Wednesday, aimed at encouraging more air travel in the archipelago and reducing airlines' costs.
State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II has stripped down Terminal 2F at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, forgoing amenities such as air-conditioning, duty-free shops, baggage handling and air bridges in favor of lower operating costs.
Angkasa Pura II president director Muhammad Awaluddin said the airport will now be able to expand its connectivity and market share, especially in the budget-airline sector.
"The budget-airline sector is growing rapidly across the world, including Southeast Asia, and Soekarno-Hatta is ready to seize a share of that market," he said last week.
Budget airline passengers made up around 30 percent of the 15.5 million international passengers who passed through Soekarno-Hatta Airport last year. The airport also saw the number of budget-airline passengers increase 2 percent year-on-year to 1.34 million in the first quarter.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport has also been busier, with 9,604 aircraft movements in the first quarter, up 5 percent compared with the same period last year.
"Cheap flights are popular with travelers, especially millennials. Around 60 percent of passengers at Soekarno-Hatta are millennials," Awaluddin said.
Airlines Moves
Eight low-cost carriers serving international routes will eventually operate from Terminal 2F.
Cebu Pacific and AirAsia's international flights, previously boarding at Terminal 2D, will now be at Terminal 2F, while Air Asia's domestic routes, previously at Terminal 2F, will be at Terminal 2D and Terminal 2E.
Sriwijaya Air, Indonesia's second-largest budget airline, will move to Terminal 2D from Terminal 2F. Carriers in the Lion Air Group – Lion Air, Thai Lion and Malindo Air – previously at Terminal 2D, will now also be at Terminal 2F.
Jetstar Asia will move to Terminal 2 from Terminal 3 on May 15, while Citilink and Tiger Scoot will do so later.
Complete Makeover
Terminal 2F forms part of a complete makeover of Terminal 2. Awaluddin said the terminal was designed for travelers who prioritize practicality, speed and convenience. To meet this need, the number of check-in desks in Terminal 2F will be halved to only 10 by 2022.
The number of self-service check-in kiosks will meanwhile be increased to 40, while self-service bag drop machines will also be doubled to 20 over the next three years.
"The services are [now] centered on digitalization, such as internet check-ins, self-check-ins and self-service bag drops. We call this 'technology implementation for value-added services.' Various technology-based services are also constantly updated," Awaluddin said.
"In general, Terminal 2F is designed for faster departures, a pleasant travel experience and unique value-added services," he added.
Budget airlines that open new international routes will receive incentives and free advertising on Angkasa Pura II's digital platforms and social media.
"Terminal 2 currently has a capacity of 9 million passengers per year. After renovations are completed in 2022, the capacity will increase to 24 million passengers per year," Awaluddin said.
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