Flying high in Jakarta

Flying high in Jakarta

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Notions that most African countries are poor, or less-developed
Asian countries, like Myanmar or Cambodia, have no money to
develop their countries would seem to be wrong, at least if the
lines of jets parked at Halim Perdanakusumah airport in East
Jakarta are anything to go by.

Dozens of either Boeing or Airbus jets are parked in the
eastern part of the airport under heavy security provided by the
Presidential Guard, the Indonesian Air Force, and airport
personnel.

First Lieutenant Aswien, an officer based at the airport, said
that all the presidents that landed at Halim Perdanakusumah had
traveled by jet, and most of the planes were waiting in the
airport to take them home again.

"Several planes flew home immediately and will come back later
to pick up delegates, but most will be staying here at least
until Monday," he told The Jakarta Post.

From a brief inspection, there would seem to be little
difference between the jets belonging to the rich countries and
those of the poorer countries.

Several presidents of African countries, such as Zimbabwe,
Nigeria and Tanzania, used Boeings while other African leaders,
including those of Algeria and Sudan, traveled to Jakarta on
Airbuses.

Less-developed Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Myanmar and
Cambodia, preferred Airbuses while others, including Nepal and
Iran, used Boeings.

Besides planes the from the less-developed countries, two
planes with Japanese flags, and one each with Chinese and
Malaysian flags were also seen among the planes.