Public Complaints About Flights Draw Government Attention

Jakarta, Jan 9 (Antara) - Public complaints about flight delays and suspensions in Indonesia have lead the government to act immediately on airport management and facility, particularly at Soekarno-Hatta airport, according to Vice President Boediono. "Following the complaints, the government held a meeting to discuss improvements in and smooth functioning of the Soekarno-Hatta airport services," Boediono stated here on Thursday. The meeting at the vice presidential office on Thursday, was attended by Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan and several other important officials. Boediono explained that the government was comparing the flight conditions in Indonesia with those in a number of airports abroad, Heathrow airport in London being one of them. "At the meeting, we compared the Soekarno-Hatta airport services to those at London`s Heathrow airport," The vice president explained, adding that Indonesia could learn some positive things about Heathrow airport. According to him, Heathrow airport, with just two runways, has been able to handle movement of 100 planes per hour in good weather, while Soekarno-Hatta airport, also with two runways, is able to handle just about 64 movements of planes per hour. The vice president noted that if Indonesia managed Soekarno-Hatta airport as well as how Heathrow airport is being managed, then the capacity will increase; thus, the plan to build the third runway could be postponed. In addition, he added that the government has been making alternative efforts to commercialize Halim Perdanakusuma airport, albeit only for a short term.