From lobsters to people: Airline runs from Air Force base

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

A commercial airline has been operating flights out of an Air Force base in Medan, North Sumatra, for almost two years.

Susi Air serves regular passenger and cargo routes to several destinations in North Sumatra and Aceh. It also has a branch office in Jakarta and opened another one in Jayapura, Papua, in November last year.

The airline, which is owned by PT ASI Pudjiastuti Aviation, was founded in late 2004 by Susi Pudjiastuti to serve the local fishing communities of Western Indonesia to enable them to quickly supply lobsters and fresh fish to markets in Asia.

The company's finance director, Dedi Irfan Pasaribu, said that in the beginning the airline used the Air Force base as a temporary terminal to distribute tsunami relief to Aceh and Nias Island, North Sumatra. The airline reached the worst-hit Meulaboh two days after the tsunami devastated Aceh on Dec. 26, 2004.

At that time there was only one Susi Air aircraft assisting in relief operations. When their work in Aceh and Nias Island was completed, the company decided to operate a commercial airline serving local routes from Polonia airport.

"Since June 2005 we have sent three proposals to the airport's management PT Angkasa Pura II. But until now we have not received a response or been allocated adequate facilities like other airlines currently operating out of Polonia. For that reason, we will continue using the Air Force base as our terminal," Dedi told The Jakarta Post.

The Air Force has no objections to allowing Susi Air use its hangar as a terminal, which is located about 500 meters from Polonia and shares the same runway.

"Basically, we only pay (the Air Force) maintenance costs. However, if the company earns more, we'll share it," Dedi said.

The airline, in cooperation with Bumi Travel agency, operates six flights per day, four of which serve local routes within the province. The four flights travel to Silangit airport in North Tapanuli regency, Sibisa in Toba Samosir, Aek Godang in South Tapanuli and Binaka in Nias.

The two other fights travel to Sinabang airport in Simeulue and Cut Nya' Dien in Meulaboh, both in Aceh.

The company's corporate legal officer, Winarso, said Susi Air uses Cessna C208B aircraft to serve all of its routes and employs eight local and four foreign pilots.

"We have two aircraft that fly on a daily basis serving local routes in North Sumatra and Aceh. Both aircraft were made in 2004 and each has a 12-seat capacity," he said.

Head of PT Angkasa Pura II at Polonia airport, Frido Frinaldo, said the company had never received a proposal from the management of Susi Air on their wish to operate at the airport.

"I've been working here for six months but I've never received a request from Susi Air management to use the terminal. It just seems to be an excuse," Frido told the Post.

He said if Susi Air management had serious intentions to operate out of Polonia, it could be discussed.

"Everything can be discussed but it has not been possible because I have never met anyone from the company while they have been using the Air Force base for sometime," Frido said, adding that all commercial airlines in the country, including Susi Air, should depart from commercial terminals.

Head of Polonia airport's administration Yuli Sudoso said Susi Air has been reported to the Transportation Ministry in Jakarta for violating commercial airline regulations by using the Air Force base.

"We urge Susi Air to immediately move its operations to Polonia airport in Medan because they are violating regulations concerning passengers and cargo because the relevant facilities are not available at the Air Force base," he said.

Responding to the call, Winarso said the airline would continue using the Air Force base.

"We are desperate because we are receiving no response to our proposals. Besides, the Air Force base is suitable," he said.