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Soekarno-Hatta airport gets 139 new toilets, nine prayer rooms
BETTER SANITATION: (From right) Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal, Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, and Miss Indonesia Zivanna Letisha Siregar visit the new women’s washroom at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
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BETTER SANITATION: (From right) Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal, Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, and Miss Indonesia Zivanna Letisha Siregar visit the new women’s washroom at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. (JP/Multa F.)
PT Angkasa Pura II, operator of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, invited three cabinet ministers on Tuesday to inaugurate newly installed facilities.
The new facilities are part of the operator's Clean Airport Action (CAA) program, comprising infrastructure improvements such as washrooms and Islamic prayer rooms, an additional terminal and other upgrades.
"We installed 139 new toilets and renovated 168 existing ones, and we constructed nine prayer rooms as our response to public complaints about unsanitary conditions at the airport," president director Edie Haryoto said.
He said CAA had cost the operator Rp 59 billion (US$6.35 million) this year.
"We will always monitor complaints filed by the public about our service because complaints challenge us to improve our performance," Edie said.
Earlier this year, a number of non-profit organizations surveyed hundreds of airport users. Complaints about airport toilet facilities topped the list.
Edie said he would be reminding all users of airport services to help keep the airport clean.
Present during the washroom inauguration ceremony were Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Jamal, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, State Minister for State Enterprises Sofyan A. Djalil, Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah and Tangerang Deputy Regent Rano Karno.
Wacik cited a survey which showed 70 percent of air travelers who arrived at the airport from overseas visited the washrooms.
"We have to support the airport's efforts to take better care of the public toilets and other facilities for visitors," he said.
The airport is also getting ready a new, third terminal which will start operating Dec. 3. Train service from Jakarta to the airport is also still in the works.
Other items listed in the improvement plan are an integrated food court, new trash cans and increased seating.
The passenger lounges now have new stainless-steel seats and minigardens decked out with Balinese sculptures and wood carvings, but the lobbies and entrance halls still have limited seating, forcing passengers to sit or crouch on the floor.
The departure area taxi stands have been better organized, enabling passengers to take their preferred service more promptly without having to wait in long lines or go through the hassle of bargaining with aggressive drivers.
The airport management has also set up new welcome billboards at the airport gates as well as a statue of Indonesia's founders, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta.
"We will invest whatever we must to gradually improve the services and facilities at the airport," the airport executive general manager Haryanto said.
Some travelers, however, still voice complaints about the presence of hawkers offering various informal services: ojek drivers (offering motorcycle hire), ticket scalpers and illegal taxis.
