Hotel offers helicopter service to airport

JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever wished that you had a helicopter to whisk you away from a seemingly never-ending traffic jam as you make a desperate attempt to make it to the airport on time to catch your flight?

You can now, as long as you have US$135, because Mandarin Oriental Jakarta Hotel in Central Jakarta is now providing a helicopter service for its guests, as well as visitors, traveling to or from the airport.

With the money, you can use the heli-service to take you one way to or from the airport and the ride takes less than 10 minutes.

"Normally, it takes you around 45 minutes to get to the airport from this hotel. But of course, it takes you longer if there is a traffic jam," George Benney, the hotel's general manager told reporters on Tuesday.

There are two U.S.-made Bell407 helicopters provided, owned by PT Air Pacific, a subsidiary of the Lippo group.

It cost the hotel some Rp 90 million to provide the service, which includes obtaining a license from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication, the construction as well as advertising.

He added that the service is not limited to the airport route or for guests only, but depends on the request.

Mandarin Oriental is the second hotel to offer this service, after Hotel Aryaduta in Central Jakarta.

Hotel Aryaduta's public relations manager Priscilla Pangemanan said that the service started early last year.

"We call it the helimousine and it is coordinated with Air Pacific," Priscilla told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Tuesday.

The price, however is more expensive, $150 per person for one way to or from the airport.

Hotel Aryaduta also provides air tours to several places like the Seribu Islands or Bandung, depending on the request, with prices ranging from $500 to $1,200.

According to Priscilla there have been many requests for the service although she was unable to give an exact number.

"But the requests are increasing. However, most requests are still for the airport," she added. (hdn)