Angkasa Pura

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Runway Ability Increases Ahead of Nataru, Ensuring Smooth Flights

PT Angkasa Pura II ensures the readiness of facilities & infrastructure, implementation of protocols, and readiness of human resources

Jakarta - PT Angkasa Pura II is improving the capability of air-side infrastructure at Soekarno-Hatta Airport ahead of the Christmas and New Year 2020/2021 transportation period which will take place from 18 December 2020 to 4 January 2021.

About a week before the Nataru period, the northern runway (runway 2) has received a recommendation for the new Pavement Classification Number (PCN) value, namely 131 R / D / X / T from the Directorate General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation through a letter dated December 8, 2020.

This is after PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) thickens the runway (overlay) by 3 layers with a total thickness of 19 cm using special specification bitumen, namely Modified Bitumen Penetration Grade 76 (PMB PG 76) polymer which was completed in 2019 then continued with inspection and assessment. before finally issuing these new recommendations in 2020.

This means that runway 2 with dimensions of 3,600 x 60 meters which has a thicker layer can be more optimal in maintaining the smooth running of aircraft take offs and landing in busy periods such as Christmas and New Year (Nataru) this year.

The ability of runway 2 has also increased where it can now serve maximum flights up to the Boeing 777 - 300 Extended Range (ER) widebody aircraft with full passenger conditions and full fuel (full load) and with the heaviest takeoff weight (Maximum Take) Off Weight / MTOW) is 351,535 kilograms.

President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) Muhammad Awaluddin said, "The northern runway or what is commonly known as runway 2 is currently confirmed to be more reliable in serving flights, especially during busy periods like Nataru. In addition, with the recommendation issued by the Ministry of Transportation, the Boeing 777 - 300 ER aircraft can carry passengers and full fuel to fly directly to Amsterdam or London without the need for transit to refuel. "

"Apart from supporting the smooth running of flights during the Nataru period, this will certainly also support the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia to be more competitive in serving long haul flights directly, such as to Amsterdam and London," said Muhammad Awaluddin.

As well as runway 2, the Ministry of Transportation also provides the same recommendation for the north side taxiway as a connecting route between runway 2 and the apron.

Focus on preparations ahead of Nataru
This increase in runway 2 capability is in line with PT Angkasa Pura II's focus on ensuring readiness in the aspects of infrastructure and facilities [Infrastructure & Facility Assurance] at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport ahead of Nataru transportation.

"In addition, we also ensure the availability and adequacy of human resources [People Sufficiency] and the implementation of compliance with health protocols in the midst of a pandemic as well as strict implementation of operational protocols [Protocol / SOP Obidience]. Close collaboration with stakeholders so that Nataru transportation runs smoothly, "explained Muhammad Awaluddin.

Soekarno-Hatta Airport is the first airport in Indonesia to operate with three runways at once. Runway 1 and 2 have dimensions of 3,600 x 60 meters each, while runway 3 has dimensions of 3,000 x 60 meters.

Through these three runways, the flight capacity at Soekarno-Hatta Airport can reach more than 100 flight movements per hour.

Nataru 2020/2021 transport period
Meanwhile, 19 PT Angkasa Pura II airports are ready to support the smooth running of Nataru transportation by ensuring three things for airlines, namely the availability of flight time slots, ensuring additional flight allocations (extra flights) and ensuring an extension of operational hours at AP II airports if needed.

The extension of airport operating hours can also divide flights so that they are not concentrated at certain hours so that physical distancing at the airport is maintained.

The period of monitoring and preparedness of flight traffic for the Nataru period at PT Angkasa Pura II airport itself was carried out on 18 December 2020 to 4 January 2021.

During that period (18 December 2020 - 4 January 2021) it is estimated that passenger movements at 19 airports are around 1.77 million passengers and flights are 18,777 aircraft movements.

All airports will also be activated Nataru Post in order to improve 3C (Coordination, Communication, Collaboration) among airport stakeholders. Posko Nataru has a function to monitor airport operations and services, including those related to the implementation of health protocols.