Angkasa Pura

Special Pickup Aircraft and Water Salute Tradition, Respect for Soekarno-Hatta Airport for the Olympic Contingent, including Greysia Polii/Apriani Rahayu Gold Winners

Jakarta - The last batch of the Indonesian contingent at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, using a Japan Airlines flight number JL 729 which landed smoothly at around 23.45 WIB.

Also in the final group were badminton gold medalists Greysia Polii and Apriani Rahayu.

As a form of respect for the struggles of all athletes and the official team while in Tokyo 2020, Soekarno-Hatta Airport held a special simple welcome.

Welcoming begins with a special pick up of the aircraft shortly after landing and exiting the runway.

The pick-up was carried out by the Follow Me Car vehicle which also carried three Red and White flags, to escort the plane to the apron on the side of Terminal 3.

After the plane was parked on the apron, the group then transferred to the bus to get to Terminal 3 VIP.

Before arriving at Terminal 3 VIP, a traditional water salute was performed on buses carrying the Indonesian contingent. The water salute procession is carried out by placing two fire fighting vehicles facing each other. Then, the bus carrying the contingent passed between the two vehicles. As the bus passed, the two fire trucks shot each other soaring water at one point above the bus.

"As a form of respect, Soekarno-Hatta Airport made a special welcome to the Indonesian contingent in Tokyo 2020. The Follow Me Car vehicle with three red and white flags picked up the plane at the airside, then a water salute procession was carried out for the bus carrying the contingent to Terminal 3 VIP," said the Executive General Manager of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Agus Haryadi.

The water salute procession is usually carried out by Soekarno-Hatta Airport on aircraft, but with a number of considerations including the arrival time at midnight and to maintain the safety aspect, this time the water salute is carried out on buses carrying contingents.

"We hope that the essence of the water salute is maintained, namely this procession is carried out as a tribute and gratitude to the athletes and officials including the badminton gold medal pair Greysia Polii and Apriani Rahayu, who have shown their fighting spirit and collaboration to make the nation proud. "said Agus Haryadi.

At Terminal 3 VIP, the contingent was welcomed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali.

From Soekarno-Hatta Airport, the Indonesian contingent will then undergo quarantine as required for Indonesian citizens who have just arrived in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.