Whitesky Aviation, an emerging aviation company specialising in non-scheduled charter flights, has teamed up with state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II to provide a helicopter terminal near Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
The project, which began construction Wednesday, June 7, is the first of its kind in Indonesia.
“It’s common information that Jakarta is a super busy metropolitan city. There are many efforts from the Ministry of Transportation and local government to reduce congestion in the capital, including access to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Here, we present an alternative solution by providing the helicopter taxi service,” Denon Prawiraatmadja, President Director at Whitesky Aviation, said.
Whitesky Aviation will provide several helicopters servicing commuters round-trip from Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi and Bandung heading to Soekarno-Hatta.
“We will charge Rp.1.5 million (US$112.70) to Rp.2 million (US$150.27) per person for a regular trip from every place in Jakarta to Cengkareng. Outside the capital, it will be around Rp.3 million (US$225.41) to Rp.4 million (US$300.54). The precise price will depend on the distance,” Prawiraadmadja said.
Regular trips will be serviced by the Bell 407, Bell 505, Airbus 130, Agusta 009 and Agusta 109 all capable of carrying four passengers. The premium service Bell 429 carries six passengers, with prices yet to be determined.
“We are using a semi-charter system. For now, we only allowing customers to book a full flight. But in the future, we hope to offer our customers shared flights service,” Prawiraatmadja said.
The project will be developed over 2.8 hectares, capable of accommodating 20 helicopters. The investment is around Rp.260 billion (US$19.54 million).
The heliport includes a helipad, shooting point, hangar, an exclusive waiting room, offices and medical evacuation services, Prawiraadmaja said.
Whitesky Aviation currently has 170 helicopter landing points, with hopes of expanding a further ten points. Whitesky has proposed a night flight schedule as currently the company is only permitted to run flights from 06.00 AM to 06.00 PM.
The helipad is on target to be completed in 2018.
See: Skytrain Ready To Connect Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminals Next Month
Image credits: Detik
