Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Choppers are the trendiest way to escape traffic jams
Many business executives in Jakarta have chosen to travel by helicopter, in efforts to be punctual in meeting their colleagues, leaving frustrating traffic jams below them.
In fact, this seemingly unusual mode of transport has become trendy among top businessmen.
"By flying in a helicopter one can save an incredible amount of time. For example, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the Soekarno-Hatta Airport from Central Jakarta, or 40 minutes from Jakarta to Carita Beach (Banten)," said PT Air Pacific Utama's director Budhi Achaddian.
PT Air Pacific Utama is just one of the companies offering such transportation services. Others include, PT Pelita Air Service, PT Derazona Air Service and PT Gatari Air Service.
Even though the companies are yet to provide regular services, more commonly referred to as 'air taxis', they are generally ready to serve passengers at any time on a charter basis.
Most of the helicopter rental firms set a minimum rental term of two hours. The rate ranges between US$1,000 and US$4,000 per hour. Generally the cost includes insurance for passengers.
PT Air Pacific Utama offers its five-seat Bell 407 at US$1,000 per hour. PT Pelita Air Service offers its four-seat Bolkow BO- 105 at US$1,150, its 16-seat Puma SA-330J at US$2,615 and its 16- seat Super Puma at US$3,650 per hour.
PT Air Pacific Indonesia serves passengers between two and five times daily, with routes from Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabotabek).
First operating in 1998, PT Air Pacific Utama is based in Karawaci in Tangerang. Under cooperation agreements with several owners of hotels and high-rise buildings, the company has several landing points, including Jakarta-based hotels and buildings such as Aston International Hotel, Aryaduta Hotel and the Citra Graha building. The company also has landing points in Banten including Carita Beach, Tanjung Lesung Hotel and Marbella Hotel, and in Cikarang Industrial Estate, near Karawang and Bukit Sentul, near Bogor.
Heavy traffic congestion and time-consuming trips are among the reasons why PT Air Pacific Utama entered the business.
"There is no better way to save time when it comes to reaching a destination in the city safely, other than flying in a helicopter," said Buddhi of PT Air Pacific Utama.
PT Pelita Air service -- which was initially established for oil related companies to transport their workers and heavy equipment to oil exploration and production sites -- now offers its choppers to anyone wanting to fly within Jakarta and its surrounding areas.
Regular customers to Pelita Air Service include the country's VVIP, VIP, state guests, ministers, state-owned and private companies. "Private companies use our air transportation service for various purposes such as taking pictures of the city streets and erecting billboards," said Pelita Air Service's Charter Division head Captain Muntoha.
Currently, PT Pelita Air Service operates 23 helicopters varying in seating capacity; starting from Bolkow BO-105 with a seating capacity of between three and four, to Super Puma SA- 332C, accommodating 16 passengers.
Capt. Suratman Wiryo, the operations director of PT Helizona, the authorized dealer of the U.S.-based Robinson Helicopter company, said the sale of helicopters in Indonesia continued to increase due to growing demand from chartered helicopter providers.
He also said many companies that used to be regular customers of chartered helicopter providers had decided to buy helicopters for their own use.
With the city's traffic problems unresolved, more major companies are expected to buy their own helicopters rather than renting on a long-term contract, he said.