Angkasa Pura

Soekarno-Hatta Becomes the Arrival Center for COVID-19 Relief, More Than 212 Tons of Cargo in the Form of Medical Devices and PPE Have Arrived

Jakarta - PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) has focused the operations of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to serve airlines carrying aid to overcome COVID-19 in Indonesia.

At present, Soekarno-Hatta has become the focal point for foreign aid arrivals, during the period of March 22 - April 30, 2020, the total aid reached more than 16 million pieces with a volume of more than 212.84 tons.

The assistance came from various countries for various parties in Indonesia such as government agencies, hospitals, foundations and the private sector, which were all coordinated with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Most of the aid transported by airplane was in the form of medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).

PT Angkasa Pura II President Director Muhammad Awaluddin said from Soekarno-Hatta that it might be possible for the aid to be flown back to various regions in Indonesia.

"Soekarno-Hatta is the largest airport in Indonesia which has international connectivity and quite extensive domestic connectivity. PT Angkasa Pura II ensures that the handling of cargo which is aids can be carried out smoothly and without obstacles to overcome COVID-19. "

"The number of flights carrying aid starting from March 22, 2020 has more than 150 flights. Last night, April 30, 2020, just arrived in Soekarno-Hatta aid in the form of Medical Devices and PPE from the Children of the Nation Volunteers which were handed over to the BUMN Present Present Foundation for the Nation to be distributed to those in need, "said Muhammad Awaluddin.

Medical Devices and PPE assistance included various types of masks, PPE, disposable gloves and thermometers, which were flown by Garuda Indonesia with flight number GA 899 from Guang Zhou, China.

The plane used by Garuda to transport the aid was a wide body Airbus A330, with cargo in the aircraft cabin and aircraft hull so that the total aid transported could reach 10-15 tons.

The arrival of the Garuda plane was also welcomed by SOE Minister Erick Thohir, Secretary of the BUMN Ministry Susyanto, President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin and President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk Irfan Sebuahutra.

"We estimate that the airlines carrying the aid will continue to arrive, and in line with that the handling of cargo in Soekarno-Hatta is always sought to remain smooth," said Muhammad Awaluddin.

As for the cargo traffic coming and going in Soekarno-Hatta, it continued smoothly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as the airline operated passenger planes to be converted as special cargo transport aircraft. The space prepared to transport cargo is in the aircraft hull (belly cargo) as well as in the aircraft cabin.