TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - State-run airport operator Angkasa Pura II (AP II) president director, Muhammad Awaluddin, said that Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta Airport would be operated as low-cost carriers (LCCT) terminal.

“[It will be] starting on May 1, 2019,” said Awaluddin Thursday, March 21.

Awaluddin mentioned that ministries of State-Owned Enterprises, Transportation, and Tourism had responded positively to the plan. “We [AP II and Tourism Ministry] have discussed this matter, and by first of May, we will run the operation formally,” he said.

The change, Awaluddin explained, was a commitment form of AP II to boost tourism in Indonesia. “That was based on the President’s order instructed through ministers of SOE, Transportation, and Tourism.”

According to Awaluddin, the conversion of Terminal 2F into LCC terminal was aimed at separating each terminal operation, particularly in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport that has terminal 1, 2, and 3, as well as Terminal 4 in the near future.

“In addition, a special terminal for umrah pilgrimage will be constructed, so segmentation of each terminal is required,” he added.

Tourism Minister, he continued to say, demanded more parking stands, contact stands, and standard uninterrupted service to support the tourism sector, increase inbound traffic or foreign tourist arrivals in LCC terminal.

JONIANSYAH (CONTRIBUTOR)