Mon, 18 Sep 1995

Code for Soekarno-Hatta

In his letter of Sept. 9, 1995, Yatmono asked whether it would not be better to use SKH or SHT as the airport code for Soekarno- Hatta, instead of the present CKG.

A three-letter airport code may only be used for one destination. Unfortunately, both of these codes already exist. Baggage labeled "SHT" is usually sent to Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, while baggage marked "SKH" usually winds up in Surkhet, Nepal. If Yatmono happened to be returning to Jakarta, he would be less than happy to find that his baggage had been sent to either of the above locations. Furthermore, if Surkhet or Shepparton happened to be his point of departure, his baggage might never even get off the ground.

With regard to the other two codes he suggested in his letter, "JSH" (for Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta) is also out, since this is the code for Sitia, a small town in eastern Crete, Greece.

"JHP" (for Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma) is still available, although it may be needed for future airports in Jaradeshpur, India, Johapili, Republic of Congo, or Johnstone Point, Yukon Territory, Canada. So Yatmono had better rush his application through to be assured of getting his way.

BEN DOWSON

Jakarta