Jakarta, April 12 (Antara) - In a bid to support the development of tourism, Indonesia, comprising over 17 thousand islands but still lacking adequate number of airports, plans to operate seaplanes to serve its tourism destinations.
The government is also currently preparing regulations on operating amphibious aircraft that could serve as a means of public transportation and support development of the tourism industry in the country.
Last January, a seaplane had been readied to transport foreign tourists from Batam Island near Singapore to one of the country's famous tourism destinations: Pulau Bawah Resort in Riau Islands Province.
The plan to operate amphibious aircraft was recently disclosed by Chairman of the Maritime Tourism Development Acceleration Team Indroyono Soesilo. For instance, an amphibious aircraft type Viking Twin Otter-400 seaplane, with aircraft code DHC-400, was ready to transport tourists to Pulau Bawah Resort from the Hang Nadim Airport of Batam.
"We are grateful that the seaplane is operating (although it is a bit late), not because the aircraft is not ready, or the pilot is incompetent, or the absence of tourists, but because the licensing issues are not yet settled. Finally, the seaplane, a new way to travel, had been operated in January 2018," Soesilo noted in a press statement as quoted by the online portal dream.co.id on Jan 29.
Hence, the government is currently preparing regulations on operating amphibious aircraft to support the development of the country's tourism industry. Thus, the target to attract at least 20 million foreign tourists by 2019 would be achieved.
Director General of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Agus Santoso remarked in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday (Mar 26) that the rules and standards for operating amphibious aircraft in Indonesia will encompass the aerodrome -- both on the beach and on river -- and the type or kind of seaplane that can operate, among others.
These regulations are being prepared to facilitate air transportation in Indonesia, so that it can reach remote areas and small islands, thereby opening access to remote destinations, especially for boosting nomadic tourism.
"As an archipelagic country, Indonesia has a long coastline on both large and small islands, and we also have large and long rivers. In ancient times, rivers and seas were the means of transportation for people on small islands and the inland areas to get to the city, but the obstacles are much like waves in the big sea or if there is a siltation in the river that hinders the movement of ships. To this end, we have prepared means of air transportation by offering seaplanes that are faster and face little obstacles," Santoso explained.
According to Santoso, it is economical to build aerodromes on water rather than land. The exact location is also easier to determine, as there are fewer geographical barriers than on land that require large flat areas.
"We are preparing the regulation with reference to the Annex of the International Civil Aviation Organization, especially annex 14 on aerodromes, Law No. 1 of 2009 on Aviation and Minister of Communications Regulation No. 74 of 2013 on CASR 139 Aerodromes," he pointed out.
Moreover, Santoso stated that the new regulation will be related to operational procedures and types of amphibious aircraft that can be operated.
This is in line with the aspirations of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, as an aircraft manufacturer in Indonesia, to complement the N219, it is currently developing the aircraft with amphibious equipment.
"Hence, the regulation will be complete with regard to operations and aviation business and the aircraft industry. Hence, we are still using the rules and criteria developed by each aircraft manufacturer," he noted.
This new regulation will be a guarantee for operators to operate amphibious aircraft in Indonesia safely, securely, and comfortably.
Santoso expects this regulation to be finalized soon, so that in future, amphibious aircraft can become a means of mass transportation in Indonesia.
This amphibious mode of transport is expected to support tourism and open access to isolated and remote islands that have no airports. Thus, the ticket prices will become lower and can be enjoyed by more people, especially in the outlying islands.
"The Directorate General of Transportation always strives to provide services and improve transportation facilities and connectivity, not only for means of air transportation but also all transportation modes, so that President Joko Widodo's instruction to strengthen connectivity will be realized sooner," he noted.
According to Santoso, currently, more amphibious aircraft are operating in Indonesia. Several airlines are already conducting trials of seaplanes in Indonesia, especially with regard to tourism in small and exotic islands.
Under such conditions, the director general believes that amphibious modes of transport would grow rapidly in Indonesia.
The Ministry of Tourism is preparing nomadic tourism at four priority destinations as a pilot project: Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and the Buddhist temple of Borobudur in Java.
One of the properties of this type of tourism is that the means of accommodation can be moved. Its accessibility is also important. Thus, amphibious aircraft can transport tourists from one island to another in Indonesia more easily and quickly.***3***
(A014/INE)EDITED BY INE/H-YH(T.A014/A/BESSR/A/Yosep) 12-04-2018 17:57: |
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