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New terminal to lure more international passengers
On the way: An artist’s conception of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s under-construction Terminal 3 Ultimate (left) and a photo of the construction’s current state of progress
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span class="inline inline-center">On the way: An artist’s conception of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s under-construction Terminal 3 Ultimate (left) and a photo of the construction’s current state of progress.(JP/Farida Susanty)
People flying overseas to and from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, can expect to soon enjoy a luxurious experience at the country’s busiest airport as it prepares to open its new terminal, expected to provide services at a level offered by the finest airports in the region.
Soekarno-Hatta’s Terminal 3 Ultimate, which is in the final stage of construction, is set to begin operations next month and will soon become the only arrival and departure point for international passengers at the airport.
Boasting 422,804 square meters, the terminal, an extension of the existing Terminal 3, will pamper travelers with a wide range of luxurious lounges, restaurants and retail outlets.
Its commercial area, slated to reach up to 70,000 sq m, will also be home to around 180 tenants, providing travelers with a long list of venue options for shopping or just killing time before departure.
“We will aim for more upscale tenants in the terminal to ensure that passengers have a pleasant flying experience,” said Faik Fahmi, the commercial and business development director of Angkasa Pura II (AP II), the state airport operator that manages Soekarno-Hatta.
Faik said tenants with such characteristics would fit the international passenger profile with stronger purchasing power.
The rest of the structure will see 330,000 sq m allocated as terminal zones that will cater to 15 million passengers in the first phase and 25 million passengers in the second phase.
It will also have at least seven baggage conveyor belts, 206 check-in counters and 24 self check-in and bag drop counters to avoid long lines.
For the initial phase, the terminal will be utilized by flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, while other international flights will be gradually moved to the terminal until March next year.
The new terminal will also entertain travelers with its artistic interior, which will be accompanied by a display of various traditional and contemporary artwork by local artists, including Eko Nugroho, Angki Purbandono, Nursalomo and Indieguerillas, AP II president director Budi Karya Sumadi said.
A quick glance at the building, meanwhile, shows how geometric-patterned high ceilings in the structure help create ample room and a modern feel.
A trip to the terminal, Budi said, would also be made easier with the introduction of the “people mover” integrated electric train system expected to be completed next year.
Such big effort and design, evident with the Rp 7.5 trillion (US$569 million) for the terminal and its facilities, are aimed at improving Jakarta’s status as a transit city and to boost tourism, Budi said.
“We have to change the orientation of Jakarta as a transit city. We have to provide the best services, best facilities, on par with other foreign airports,” he said, adding that the airport so far only connects the country with 30 destinations abroad.
He cited that 13 million passengers passed Jakarta annually, yet they chose to transit in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. AP II aims to attract at least 3 million more passengers to Indonesia, to also boost tourism.
Singapore’s Changi Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport for the fourth year in a row, according to an annual global survey of air travelers.
The awards are based on a Skytrax survey of 13 million travelers across 106 nationalities, and included 550 airports worldwide.
The already crowded Soekarno-Hatta also prompted the company to invest big in the project, as it currently can cater to 26 million passengers annually, while welcoming 54.2 million passengers last year alone.
The terminal, Budi added, would also be comfortable venue for travelers who arrived late or were catching an early flight, as it would have two hotels on its left and right side.
Both hotels, Budi said, were expected to be four stars or less with 150 rooms, with an investment of around Rp 400 billion.
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The history of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
* Dec. 1, 1984: Physical construction of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is completed.
* Jan. 1, 1985: Soekarno-Hatta opens to replace the now-defunct Kemayoran International Airport in Central Jakarta.
* 1992: Soekarno-Hatta opens Terminal 2.
* 2009: Soekarno-Hatta launches operation of Terminal 3.
* 2012: Soekarno-Hatta begins revitalization of Terminals 1 and 2 to expand capacity.
* 2013: Expansion of Terminal 3 begins.
Soekarno-Hatta technical information
Number of runways : 2
Runway dimensions : 3600 x 60 m
Source: From various sources
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