Authority Delays Licenses Revocation of Idle Airlines

by Dudi Sudibyo

The Transportation Ministry in February delayed license revocation of 11 idle airlines, to give restructuring opportunities to the operators before resuming their operations.

Four of the idle airlines currently have reapply for their licenses --- Seulawah NAD Air (April 2003), StarAir (Oct. 2005), Air Paradise (Nov. 2005), and Jatayu (Aug. 2006).

StarAir which planned resuming its operation beginning this year, withheld the plan temporarily following the January 1, 2007 AdamAir Boeing 737-400 "disappearance" off the coast of South Sulawesi. Angkasa source said, the carrier was due to resume flights in January or February last month.

On the subject, Yurlis Hasibuan, the ministry Airworthiness Certification director stressed to resume operation, the carriers should have at least two operational aircraft, two routes, pilots and aircraft maintenance contract.

His office would assessed whether the carriers fulfilled the requirements or not, including flight license of an AOC (Air Operator Certificate) and an airlines business license --- SIUP before they are allowed to resume operations.

On a separate occasion, to the House of Representative, Iksan Tatang, air transportation director general cited  based on The Ministry Regulation No. 81 Year 2004 Part 54, operator ceasing its operations is compulsory to resume operation within 90 days.

"Should the operator unable to meet the deadline, three letters of reminder will be sent consecutively within period of three months by the ministry," explained Tatang.

It would be followed immediately by freezing the license for a period of one month and would be revoked after the one month date expired. The ministry data showed that since April 2003 up to December 2006, some 11 airlines had ceased operations.

The idle airlines are PT Seulawah NAD Air (April 8, 2003),  PT Indonesia Airlines Avi Patria (Feb. 17, 2004), PT Bayu Indonesia (Feb. 17, 2004), PT Asia Megatama (March 2004), PT Bali International Air Service (April 2005), PT Bouraq Indonesia ( July 25, 2005), PT Star Air (October 2005),  PT Air Paradise International (Nov. 23, 2005),  PT Top Sky International (July 19, 2006), PT Jatayu Gelang Sejahtera (Aug. 2006) and PT Efata Papua Airlines ( Dec. 11, 2006).

Separately, Santoso Edi Wibowo, air traffic transportation director referring to Transportation Minister Hatta Radjasa January 2007 stern action revoking Bumi Cendrawasih Airlines' business license (SIUP) reminded, "This is a proof that the ministry do take firm action."

Up to February 13, 2007, a total of 10 scheduled airlines business licenses were revoked from a total of 40 licenses issued, thus currently 30 licenses are still valid.

Of the total valid SIUP, three airlines are still unable to operate because they do not yet acquired Air Operator Certificate, thus only 27 carriers currently hold AOC. Of the 27 airlines holding AOC, 16 operating and 11 idle. (ds)
 

New Hawk Aircraft for the Air Force?
Good news for the Indonesian Air Force (IAF), new multi-role lightweight jetfighter and advanced training Hawk aircraft may strengthen its squadron in near future. Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono announced the news early February saying that Indonesia currently may procure the Hawk fighter from England.

"But it is up to TNI head Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto and Air Force Chief-of-Staff Air Chief Marshal Herman Prayitno to determine (of procuring) the Hawk, whether meet technical specification and our budget range," said the minister.

Among the specification, whether the fighter-trainer aircraft would still be reliable in 10 years time. Several type of Hawks, from BAe System's Hawk Mk-53 to more modern Hawk 100 and Hawk 200 were already in service for many years in the Indonesian Air Froce. A total of more than 40 Hawks had strengthen IAF squadrons.

The number dwindled sharply as the U.S.and U.K. imposed embargo on spare-parts for aircraft manufactured by the two Western countries following the East Timor crisis. Recently the embargo had been lifted but in the meantime, Indonesia look to other sources for its need of fighter planes as well trainers and other military equipments.
Several countries had offered to sell weaponry to Indonesia, including Britain, South Korea, Poland and China. "We are studying the offer from Britain, and will compare the offers from other countries," said Juwono as quoted by Antara new agency.

Since in service with the Royal Air Force in 1976, over 800 Hawks had been delivered worldwide. Beside Indonesia, countries operating the Hawk fighter-trainer aircraft include Malaysia, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Finland, and the U.S. (ds)

Indonesia Interested to Procure Mi-26T
Indonesia is very keen to procure Russian-made Mi-26T multipurpose heavy-lift helicopter, especially the fire-fighting version. Not only one, but two units to be procured along with two fire-fighting amphibious Beriev Be-200 aircraft.

Angkasa source recently said, a demonstration flight will be conducted in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono April next month in Jambi, Sumatera. An M-26T helicopter will be ferry flown from Russia to Jakarta for the purpose.

The gigantic 28,6 ton eight blades helicopter has the capability to transport 15 ton of water to the fire site, complementing with the Be-200 in extinguishing forest fire such as forest fire of Sumatra and Kalimantan of last year.

To extinguish forest fire on the two provinces, Indonesia leased two Beriev Be-200s from Russia. Its successful mission, resulted the interest of the Indonesian government to procure three to four Be-200s, each with a price-tag of US$40 million.

"After further study, the government decided to buy two Be-200s and two Mi-26T helicopters for the future fire-fighting missions," said Angkasa's source. The forest fire is a seasonal occurrence, the worst forest fire in the last five years occurred in the two provinces which currently triggered the government to owned fire-fighting aircraft.

Both the Be-200 and the US$ 20 million Mi-26T are multipurpose aircraft, the Be-200 quickly can be transform for maritime surveillance, transport plane to remote areas unreachable by other fix-wing aircraft, or quickly as ambulance on SAR mission such as rescuing the Senopati ship capsized in the middle of the sea recently or the most recent sea accident of Levina I ferry boat 80 km from capital Jakarta.

"While the Mi-26T helicopter, quickly can be transform to airlift heavy equipments such as areas hit by tsunami in Aceh. Or bridge construction, during mounting and transporting heavy industrial equipment, mounting rigs and electric power lines. For military purposes, it can carry tank and armored vehicle complete with its troops," he further explained.
In the past, Indonesian Air Force was one of the first foreign air force outside the Soviet Union, operating the then biggest military helicopter --- Mi-6. (ds)     

ICAO Audit Agencies Under Tranportation Ministry
Beside the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), also audited other agencies under the Transportation Ministry such as the Air Worthiness Certification Directorate and the Air Transportation Safety Directorate.

The auditing was conducted early February to monitor flight safety regulations whether it have been adhered to. Auditing of the KNKT has been completed, while Angkasa on the verge of printing, the two other agencies were still under examination.

"This is just a routine audit, ICAO wants to find out whether we have followed their regulations,"  Setio Rahardjo, head of KNKT was quoted by the Jakarta Post.

The UN international aviation organization among others checked whether KNKT had a forensic team, of which Rahardjo explained, "We don't have. In Indonesia the forensic team which examines deceased bodies of airplane accidents, consist of medical staff and a police team."

According to Setio Rahardjo, ICAO allowed KNKT not to have its own forensic team due to existence of another authority doing the task of identifying victims.

ICAO also wanted to know how the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee handled an aircraft accident, manual books used by KNKT investigators and its organization structure.

Separately Transportation Minister Hatta Radjasa as quoted by Antara said, the auditing result of ICAO always mentioned Indonesia had complied to all international aviation regulations.

"Indonesia never been categorized not complying. We are always complying the the international regulations," said the minister.

ICAO, based in Montreal, Canada, conducted the auditing following the AdamAir Boeing 737-400 accident which "disappeared"  in the sea waters off the coast line of  South Sulawesi region early in the year. (ds)

Garuda and Merpati Stakes Ready for Sale
State Minister for State Enterprises Sugiharto recently reaffirmed that the government is to sell up to 48 percent and 40 percent respectively of state-owned Garuda Indonesia and Merpati Nusantara this year.

Beside the two airliners, the government also will sell stakes in state firms PT Jasa Marga, Bank Negara Indonesia, PT Wijaya Karya, PT ISI, PT Iglas, PT Cambrics Primisima and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani.

The government also to sell its entire minority stakes in PT JHD, PT Atmindo, PT Intirub, PT PPLi, PT Kertas Blabak and PT Kertas Basuki Rahmat.

To the House of Representative, minister Sugiharto said, "The privatization committee has approved the divestment of stakes in nine State-owned enterprises and six publicly listed firms."

But the privatization committee has delayed the planned divestment of stake in PT BTN, PT Krakatau Steel, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Indonesia's aircraft manufacturer), PT Kertas Padalarang and five consulting firms until comprehensive studies on the firms have been completed.

In the banking sector, the government plans to reduce its stake in the PT BNI from the current 99,12 percent to 51 percent. The state will sell its entire stakes in PT Industri Soda Indonesia (100 percent), PT Industri Gelas (63.82 percent) and PT Cambrics Primissima (52.79 percent).

The stakes selling of Garuda Indonesia and Merpati Nusantara, is in effort to overhaul their performances and help to stop budget deficit. (ds)

Two Director Generals Discharge from Office
The government discharged several senior structural officials in the Transportation Ministry following the recent accidents on land, sea and air transportations. Among those senior officials were M. Iksan Tatang, air transportation director general and Harijogi, sea transportation director general.

Daily Kompas reliable source also mentioned that Setio Rahardjo, National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) head was on the discharge list. Budhi Suyitno, the current inspector general switched offices with Iksan Tatang. While replacement of the sea transportation director general was still vacant when the news spread a day before month February ended.

"There are two candidates for the office --- Yuri Gunawan, navigation director and Ajib, the transportation attaché in the Indonesian Embassy in the Netherland. Two other candidates are outsiders," said Kompas source.

Transportation Minister Hatta Radjasa when asked about the changes in his ministry said, the changes were to refresh atmosphere within the Transportation Ministry. He alluded to give further comments on the reshuffling, only said that the President has been informed.

New faces in the sea transportation directorate were Leon, transportation attaché Indonesian Embassy, Singapore, replaced Jimmy Nikijuluw as the traffic and sea transportation director.

The office of coast guard director was vacant when Suharto left his office. Also replacement of Bobby R. Mamahit as shipping and seafarer director,  was still to be named.

Santoso Edi Wibowo replacement as the air traffic transportation director was also to be appointed.While retired Air Marshal Tatang was appointed to head KNKT, replacing Setio Rahardjo from the navy. (ds) 

AdamAir Boeing 737-300 Grounded
Following a hard landing of an AdamAir Boeing 737-300 at Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, East Java, Feb. 21, which caused severe bending to the fuselage just behind the wing, the regulator grounded seven remaining B737-300s of AdamAir fleet.

This is AdamAir's second accident in less than two months. An AdamAir Boeing 737-400 "disappeared" in mid air on New Year's Day off the coast of South Sulawesi, believed it plunged to the sea, killing 102 passengers on board.

No casualties were reported, all its 148 passengers were safe from the accident which occurred during heavy rain combined with strong wind during landing at Juanda airport.

"The weather was extremely bad during the landing, with heavy rain and strong wind," said Natalia Budihardjo, district manager of AdamAir.

Captain Hartono, AdamAir's safety and security director told ANTV and Angkasa, according to the pilot, he felt a strong wind pressure from above minutes before he landed the aircraft.

"Wind pressure from above or downdraft pushed the plane. The pilot tried to recover but was too close to the runway which caused the landing harder than usual," he further explained.

None of the stewardesses who were still shocked from the hard landing, opened the plane's door after its stop on the runway. Instead two passengers, helped open the front and aft door and enabling passengers to evacuate from the cabin.

Juanda Airport was immediately closed to air traffic and at four flights were delayed and diverted to Ngurah Rai Bali airport. Juanda was closed for 30 minutes and was reopened after the ill-fated flight KI-172 Boeing 737-300 registration PK-KKV was towed to a nearby hangar.

Bambang S. Ervan, transportation minitry spokesman said, the grounding would stay in effect until investigation into the aircraft concluded. Out of the seven planes, two were given green light end of last month to be back for operation. (ds)