Balikpapan - Ministry of Communications (Menhub) Ignasius Jonan took a spot check once again at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan (SAMS), Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, before heading to South Kalimantan. Jonan’s spot check is arguably a short time because it only takes less than 20 minutes.
After returning from the spot check in Semayang Port, Jonan welcomed by General Manager of Sepinggan, Wendo Asrul Rose. Jonan was immediately invited to tour the airport which has a mall while brisk walking. The first area visited by Jonan is International Departures Terminal. Jonan praised the beauty of this airport when entered into the International Departures lounge area which is quite roomy.
"Relieved (broad) really," said Jonan comment on the lounge chairs dotted circle, Friday (20/03/2015). "This is an area we set somewhat relieved (field). Especially for commercial, our mall is existing on the 1st floor and 2nd. 3rd floor is specific to the wait the aircraft, but may bring food and beverages from the bottom," said Wendo.
After receiving Wendo's explanation, Jonan continued rapid way to the immigration. Almost at once, Jonan only monitors immigration area for 5 minutes. "It's a great service," said Jonan. "For the terminal, I can assure you it’s the best airport in Indonesia," said Jonan to members of the media.
A month earlier, the Minister of Communications bestowed an award Excellent Service Main 2014 to SAMS Balikpapan Airport. Countinuesly at the beginning of 2015, SAMS was also chosen as Airport of the Year 2014 from Airport Magazine. By INACA (Indonesian National Air Carrier Association, an association national airline of Indonesia), SAMS Airport was named as the Best CSI 2014 for passenger service. In fact, there is also an award from the Ministry of Health as Healthy Airport 2014.
A year after the soft opening in March 2014, Sepinggan has record up to 250 aircraft movements every day. Airport is open from 06.00 to serve the first flight and until 24.00 through to the last plane departing and arriving at 23:00. During this year also Sepinggan already used 7.6 million passenger capacities of 10 million passengers per year. [DSS / Source: Detik.com & Antaranews]
