All domestic flights of Garuda Indonesia will be shifted to the terminal that has a capacity to handle 25 million passengers per year.
"The national airline Garuda Indonesia will serve flights on all domestic routes through the new terminal from August 9, 2016," acting president director of airport operator Angkasa Pura II Djoko Murjatmodjo stated at a press conference here on Wednesday night (Aug. 3).
The operations of Terminal 3 have been approved following the issuance of a letter by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, dated Aug. 2, 2016.
Angkasa Pura II also began disseminating information on the transfer of Garuda Indonesias flights to the terminal on Thursday morning by utilizing taxis and buses at the airport.
"We will urge the taxis and buses to pass through Terminal 3 after transporting passengers from Terminal 1 and 2. As a result, the passengers will know the location and appearance of the new terminal.
Meanwhile, Service Director of Garuda Indonesia Nicodemus Panurung Lampe hoped the shifting of operations to the new terminal will increase its competitiveness against other airlines.
"The shifting of operations is expected to increase competitiveness of Garuda," he remarked.
Garuda Indonesias flights GA 654 and GA 648 became the first domestic aircraft to take off from Terminal 3.
Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno had earlier remarked that the Terminal 3 Ultimate at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport should compete with the Changi Airport in Singapore.
"I am proud to see the progress in the construction work at Terminal 3. All work is proceeding as per schedule, and the results are good. Hence, my understanding is that the Soekarno-Hatta airport will deliver even better services than the Changi Airport of Singapore," Rini pointed out.
Rini said the earlier Terminal 3 will be connected to the Terminal 3 Ultimate that is equipped with better and modern facilities.
The minister hoped that the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, particularly the Terminal 3 Ultimate, will achieve a five-star rating from Sky Track, which will help promote Indonesia as a global tourism destination.
The Terminal 3 Ultimate is now spread over 333,101 square meters and can accommodate 25 million passengers per year.
The authority plans to accomplish the construction of Terminal 3 Ultimate by 2019, with an additional runway measuring three thousand meters in length and 60 meters in width.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
