Entering Quarter III, Utilization Of Flight Slot Time At AP II Airport Touches 87 Percent

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Cross flights at PT Angkasa Pura II airport are increasing. In fact, entering the third quarter of 2023, it is recorded that it is getting busier. This is based on data on flight time slot utilization.

The flight time slot is the availability of flight time at the airport for departure and arrival. The number of slot times (slot plans) at each airport is different, adjusting capacity and facilities at each airport.

The use of the highest time slot in the post-pandemic recovery period can be seen on July 7, 2023. On that date, there were 1,978 slot times available at 20 AP II airports, and those used by airlines reached 1,716 slot times so that the time slot utilization at AP II airport on that date reached 87 percent.

AP II President Director Muhammad Awaluddin said the utilization of slot time at AP II airport had increased since the beginning of this year. In fact, the utilization of slot time on that date exceeded last year's average of around 70 percent.

"This is certainly good news because it indicates that the period of recovery of flight traffic at post-pandemic AP II airports is on the right track," he said in Jakarta, Sunday, July 9.

Awaluddin said the increase in slot time utilization was the result of close coordination between AP II and airlines and other stakeholders in capturing opportunities amid growing flight demand.

The three airports that printed the highest flight time slot utilization on July 7 were Silangit Airport (North Tapanuli), Depati Amir Airport (Pangkalpinang) and Fatmawati Soekarno Airport (Bengkulu) which each scored a time slot utilization of up to 100 percent. Utilization at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Tangerang) is also quite high, namely 93 percent.

"Flight traffic is getting more and more excited at AP II airports. Flight routes are reopening at a number of airports. From the data, we can see that the time slots at Silangit Airport, Depati Amir Airport and Fatmawati Soekarno Airport have all been used by airlines," he said.

In line with the continued growth in slot time utilization, AP II is increasingly optimistic that the target of aircraft passenger movement at 20 airports this year can cumulatively reach 76.65 million people or higher than the initial target of 73 million passengers.

In Semester I-2023 the number of passengers at AP II airport has reached around 38 million people who reflect the recovery rate of 85 percent from Semester I-2019 when there was no COVID-19 pandemic.

The recovery rate at AP II airport in Semester I-2023 of 85 percent has exceeded the projection of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which stated that the recovery rate for passengers in Asia Pacific throughout 2023 was 84 percent, and the Airport Council International (ACI) which stated that the recovery rate in Asia Pacific throughout 2023 was around 80 percent.

"The recovery rate at AP II airport cumulatively in January-June 2023 has exceeded the IATA and ACI targets throughout 2023 for Asia Pacific," Awaluddin said.

Furthermore, Awaluddin said AP II is optimistic that the utilization of flight time slots and recovery rates for the number of passengers at the company's managed airports will increase until the end of 2023, driven by growth in domestic routes.

"AP II continues to coordinate with airlines and all stakeholders to be able to seize existing opportunities. We strive to always strengthen national aviation connectivity," he explained.

In 2024, AP II is optimistic that the number of passengers on the airport being managed can match 2019 when there is no pandemic.