Moving from one point to another in Jakarta can be a particularly frustrating thing to do given the heavy traffic congestion that plagues the city’s streets on a daily basis.

With over four million cars and 13 million motorcycles, the capital, home to some 10 million residents, has some of the worst traffic in the world.

So when the chance to experience flying above the capital’s busy streets came up, Risjad Ghazy Prakasa Ardanto did not want to miss it.

After finding out via Instagram that the helicopter transportation service Helicity had become available for the public last year, he immediately registered with air charter firm Whitesky Aviation so he could enjoy the experience at least once in his life.

“We went to Bandung [in West Java] from Jakarta. It was my first experience flying in a helicopter and it gave me a chance to view the city from a whole different perspective. The pilot showed us some beautiful sights,” said the 19-year-old student, who studies at a Jakarta-based private university.

Growing up in the metropolitan area, Risjad, who resides in Cinere, Depok, in the southern part of Greater Jakarta, knows exactly how frustrating it can be to travel through the vehicle-packed city.

“From above, I could see how vehicles swarm Jakarta. Cars and motorcycles are everywhere,” he said, adding that he flew with his family members for the roughly 40 minute trip to Bandung.

The trip cost Rp 36 million (US$2,663) for six passengers.

In addition to serving the Jakarta-Bandung route, the operator launched on Monday a city tour enabling Jakartans who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital’s roads to experience the city from
above.

The service, called Wonderful Joy Flight, takes passengers over several locations in the city including Pulo Mas in East Jakarta, Tanjung Priok and Ancol in North Jakarta, Kota Tua in West Jakarta and Senayan and Semanggi in South Jakarta before returning to the point of departure in Pancoran in South Jakarta. The service will run from Dec. 5 to Jan. 5, 2018.

The route was set by the Transportation Ministry.

Whitesky Aviation sets the price tag at Rp 7 million ($518) per helicopter ride for three to four passengers to enjoy the sightseeing tour.

The company had seen growing enthusiasm from the public, receiving 20 orders since the Wonderful Joy Flight package was officially introduced, with most preferring to fly on weekends, said Ari Nurwanda, the company’s director for business and development.

The company currently operates 10 helicopters, three of which are deployed for the Helicity service, and is open to requests to land the chopper at desired locations as long as they are equipped with helipads. Additional fees may also be charged.

There are 173 helipads across Jakarta.

The Tourism Ministry has endorsed the service in a bid to attract more tourists and business people to Jakarta and its surrounding areas.

Whitesky Aviation president director Denon Prawiraatmadja said even though the company had not set high expectations for the impact of the tourist service on the company’s revenue this year, they hoped to earn greater profits from a growth in flights chartered by mining companies in the future.

“I hope that in 2019, with a boom in the [helicopter] charter business from contracts from mining companies, we can return to the level of revenue we achieved in 2015,” he said recently.

He said in 2015, the company’s revenue reached around $40 million.

Denon said on average the company now served four to ten flights per month.

“Next year, I hope we can serve 30 flights per month, that would be ideal for Jakarta,” he said.

Denon said that even though the service would at first only be available in Jakarta, in the future they may offer flights to mountainous areas around West Java and Bali.

Denon said the company would also look at other places to operate such as Bintan in Riau and Singapore.

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