Indonesia's Sky Is Still Crowded, Ministry Of Transportation: Flights Are Still Allowed To This Day

Illustrated. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The government continues to strive to stop the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19 in Indonesia. Various policies have been issued, ranging from physical distancing, large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to prohibition of going home. However, referring to flight radar data, aircraft mobility on Friday 24 April was still high.

Capture the screen of the still busy flight in Indonesia on Friday, April 24.

Responding to this, Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Adita Irawati said domestic flights are still allowed to operate today. However, this only applies to passengers with reservations prior to the prohibited date set.

"Given the characteristics of specific air modes, flight operators are given the opportunity to carry out their obligations to passengers up to this day for old reservations, while still implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting today there will be no new reservations," he said, through a statement. written received by VOI, in Jakarta, Friday, April 24.

However, this flight ban only applies to domestic flight routes. Meanwhile, international flights are still operating. Adita explained that this was to serve foreign citizens who would return to their country, and Indonesian citizens who would return to Indonesia. Even so, these flights still have to follow health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After the evaluation, the enactment of the regulations will be the same for all modes of transportation, namely on April 24 to May 31 and will be extended if necessary," he said.

As is known, Permenhub number 25 of 2020 has been enacted on April 23 as a follow-up to the Government's policy to prohibit homecoming this year in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Adita emphasized that the prohibition on the use of transportation for homecoming applies to entry and exit in PSBB areas, the Red Zone for the Spread of Covid-19 and agglomerations that have been designated as PSBB.

Only Serve Cargo and Special Flights

PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) Soekarno-Hatta Airport Main Branch Office said that, starting today until June 1, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) has the status of terminate operation. This means that the airport does not serve scheduled or unscheduled commercial flight operations (general passengers) to all domestic and international routes.

This Angkasa Pura II decision is in line with the Presidential Regulation and the Decree of the Minister of Transportation concerning the prohibition of Eid homecoming by the Government. This Eid homecoming ban is carried out to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19.

Senior Manager of Branch Communication & Legal of PT Angkasa Pura II's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Febri Toga Simatupang, said that having terminated operation does not mean that Soekarno-Hatta Airport is closed.

"We convey that, starting Friday at 00.00 WIB, Soekarno-Hatta Airport only serves cargo and special flights," he said, in a written statement received by VOI, Thursday, April 23.

Thus, said Febri, terminal 1, terminal 2 and terminal 3 are closed to the public or not serving passengers. Meanwhile the cargo terminal is still operating as usual. Meanwhile, the special flights referred to include, among others, the leaders of the high ranking institutions of the Republic of Indonesia and guests / representatives of state and representatives of international organizations.

"Repatriation or repatriation of Indonesian citizens and foreigners is still being served as well as law enforcement operations and emergency services for aviation officers," he explained.

Febri appealed to all service users or passengers who have purchased tickets (issued tickets) to contact the relevant airlines to make a refund or change the flight schedule (reschedule).