Hotel offers helicopter service to airport

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)