Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, which opened its LCC-dedicated terminal earlier this year, has seen a growth in LCC aircraft movements and passenger numbers.
On 1 May 2019, Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta Airport began operating as a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), specialising in serving international flights with several low cost carriers operating from the terminal including AirAsia Group, Lion Air Group, Jetstar, Citilink, Cebu Pacific and Scoot.
From 1 January to September 20 in 2019, the number of low cost carrier (LCC) passengers on international routes in Soekarno-Hatta reached 3.16 million, rising by around 4% year-to-date from 3.04 million passengers in the same period in 2018.
Meanwhile, aircraft movements from 1 January to 20 September 2019 were up 6% compared to the same period last year at 22,805 flights, up from 21,517 in 2018.
The airport sees a total of 104 international flight routes operated by LCC airlines daily, consisting of 51 departures and 53 arrivals, averaging four flights per hour.
The majority of the flights are to destinations in ASEAN countries, followed by routes to China. The Angkasa Pura II airport operator is working with airlines to target the long-haul market.
In October/December, LCC Citilink is opening a long-haul flight between Jakarta – Frankfurt, Germany.
VP of corporate communication Angkasa Pura II Yado Yarismano said the Soekarno-Hatta Airport was able to maximise existing assets in order to optimise and stimulate the LCC market, especially international routes.
With around 60% of passengers in Soekarno-Hatta fitting the ‘millennial’ category, Yarismano said these are the main target audience in the LCC segment, adding: “The market has responded positively to the LCC segment on international routes, and Angkasa Pura II is optimising that growth, one of which is by establishing Terminal 2F as a special LCC terminal starting May 1, 2019.”
“Through LCC Terminal 2F, airline flight operations in the LCC segment can also be optimised and efficient. At present the level of punctuality or on-time performance specifically for LCC airline departures is 82%,” Yarismano explained.
The airport operator also has plans for a LCC Terminal 2F revitalisation prioritising practicality, speed and convenience. The terminal will also prioritise digital facilities in the future, to align with the business model of low-cost aviation.
From 2020 the number of conventional check-in desks at LCC Terminal 2F will be reduced from 20 units to 10 in 2022, while the number of self check-in facilities has been increased to 40 units.
Self bag drop will also be expanded from 10 units in 2020 to 20 units in 2022.
Yarismano said the terminal is being developed with technology for “value added services” through its implementation of web check-in, self check-in, self bag drop adding that this enables a fast and “pleasant travel experience.”
Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya also believes the LCC Terminal 2F can attract more foreign tourists to Indonesia.
Terminal 2 is currently being revitalised as a whole, including increasing capacity of Terminal 2 to around 20 million passengers per year from the current 9 million passengers.
