Positive Cases Of COVID-19 Continue To Increase, Observer: Government Opens Only One International Airport

JAKARTA - The government is advised to implement a single entry policy or to open only one international airport during the COVID-19 pandemic. This method is considered to be able to prevent the spread of the virus in the country, considering that new positive cases continue to grow. In addition, this step is considered to increase state security.

Aviation observer Marshal Chappy Hakim said, with international flight conditions that were more challenging and considering national security, a single entry policy should be implemented for the time being.

"This is aimed at facilitating strict supervision of the passing of people, goods, plants and especially viruses, as well as opening up space for local aviation businesses," he said in a virtual discussion, Wednesday, September 23.

The former KSAU explained that the COVID-19 pandemic is the right time for the government to reorganize domestic airport management. With a one-stop international airport system, the country will in fact get great opportunities for the development of the domestic aviation market more efficiently.

"The single entry policy which only opens one aerodrome between nations will be a great opportunity in efforts to develop the domestic flight market. Now is the right time to rearrange domestic flights to be more efficient," he explained.

Apart from that, said Chappy, this momentum could also be used to share a number of fat routes in the country fairly. Then organize air transportation for administrative and logistical purposes by synchronizing strategic land routes, sea toll roads and railways.

"Rearranging cargo flight paths and charter flights. Now is the right time to arrange domestic flight routes for local visiting package facilities. It will be easier to do in creating an overall domestic flight path," he said.

Furthermore, Chappy said that the government can also take the right momentum to regulate domestic flight facilities. Thus, the aviation industry will grow quickly, safely and healthily.

"Why should it be done now? There is no other reason is that if we don't do it ourselves now, then the foreign investors will be the ones who will take advantage of this momentum," he said.

Chappy hopes that the government can immediately make adjustments and reform rules and set short-term goals. In the context of reforming the rules, it is appropriate to include a platform for health procedures that must be obeyed unconditionally.