TheJakartaPost
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Peoples’ right to ease of travel
Although not specifically stipulated in the 1945 Constitution, Indonesians have the right to travel anywhere across the country, and the government should protect that right
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span>Although not specifically stipulated in the 1945 Constitution, Indonesians have the right to travel anywhere across the country, and the government should protect that right. It is thus relieving to see the authorities’ commitment to improving connectivity and making it possible for travelers to reach any place in the country.
Air travel, despite its considerably higher costs, has the benefit of having much shorter travel times than land and sea transportation services. The government’s decision to develop new airports and expand the capacity of existing ones deserves praise as it ensures not only ease but also speed for travelers.
As the Special Report in today’s paper reveals, in response to the skyrocketing number of air passengers in the past few years, the government has been developing 15 new airports under the 2015-2019 national medium-term development program (RPJMN) and will develop 12 more in the 2020-2024 RPJMN.
The development of new airports has focused on not only solving the problem of overcrowding in a number of airports but also providing better access to remote and outer regions. The North Sulawesi island of Miangas, Indonesia’s northernmost island, which borders the Philippines, and Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, which shares a sea border with Australia, are among the regions where the 15 airports are to be completed under the ongoing RPJMN.
Meanwhile, Yahukimo, Nabire and Keerom regencies in Papua province and Fakfak regency in West Papua are among the 12 regions where airports are to be developed under the 2020-2024 RPJMN.
However, this push for development has not necessarily generated the expected positive results, as seen in the low utility rate of airports among other indicators. One of them is the Kertajati International Airport, which sees low air traffic and low passenger movement.
State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II (AP II), which supervises the Kertajati airport, has taken measures to attract passengers, including by offering free shuttle bus services as well as airlines shuttles in the morning and the afternoon.
The government has done a lot to provide ease of travel and ensure connectivity to all parts of the country. However, true implementation of the feasibility study should be the main consideration in determining the location for new airports. Otherwise, the case of Kertajati airport will recur in the future.
