MINISTER INSPECTS SOEKARNO-HATTA AIRPORT

Tangerang, Banten, Nov 5 (Antara) - Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan inspected the Soekarno-Hatta Airport to review the technical transportation services being offered at the airport. Jonan arrived at the airport at 9 a.m. local time. He was accompanied by the Transportation Ministry's Secretary General Santoso Eddy Wibowo and President Director of Angkasa Pura II airport operator firm Tri Sunoko. They entered the airport's Terminal 1A and conducted an inspection of the Lion Air lounge. The minister visited the boarding room and even conversed with a passenger Hendri who was waiting for his flight to Solo scheduled at 11:15 a.m. local time. "What time is your flight? Do you have any complaint?" the minister asked. Jonan also ordered the airport officials to improve the lighting system in the boarding room as there was no electricity when he arrived. "I suggest that the lighting system should be improved," the minister emphasized. He also proposed that 10 young officers should be recruited to welcome the passengers. "The young ones are more agile," he pointed out. The minister also happened to greet an Australian passenger. Jonan said that the signage should be provided by the Angkasa Pura firm rather than the airlines. During his inspection, the minister reviewed the airport health services, which he believed should be given higher priority as compared to the technical matters. He met the management of Garuda Indonesia Airlines and discussed employee salaries with President Director of Angkasa Pura II Tri Sunoko. In a month, a Garuda pilot is paid Rp40 million, or only about half of that received by their foreign counterparts, which is Rp80 million per month. The airlines crew are paid Rp12 million. He then inspected the flight operation room where he found some officials arranging files of documents. "You are not on an internship program, aren't you," Jonan asked. The minister also inspected the plant quarantine room before he proceeded to review the air traffic control room and the airport authority's office