JAKARTA - AP I’s Juanda Airport, Surabaya Branch Office is open for international flights specifically for Indonesian citizens (WNI) traveling overseas. This is in accordance with the issuance of the Decree of Covid-19 Task Force Number 1 of 2022 on Entry Points, Quarantine Facilities, and Mandatory RT-PCR Tests for Indonesian Citizens Traveling Overseas dated January 1, 2022.
Prior to the decree issuance, the Central Government gave directions, through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation, to open Juanda Airport in Surabaya for international flights as an effort to anticipate the backlog of international travelers through Soekarno Hatta Airport.
“We are so excited to welcome the Government’s decision to open international doors through Juanda Airport Surabaya to increase Juanda Airport traffic. We believe that Juanda Airport, Surabaya is ready to accept international flight arrivals, although the spread of the Covid-19 new variant is currently being monitored. Therefore, we implement strict health protocols and several other anticipatory schemes,” Angkasa Pura Airports President Director, Faik Fahmi said.
The opening of international flights at Juanda Airport, Faik Fahmi continued, focused on serving Indonesian migrant workers arrivals. Juanda Airport opened for international flight arrivals on January 1, 2022. International flight arrivals were served at Terminal 2 (T2) of Juanda Airport so that the flight area and international passengers were separated from domestic passengers.
The flow of international arrivals at Juanda Airport Surabaya is as follows:
- Preflight: before flying to Surabaya, international travelers must have prepared proof of a complete dose of vaccine, have 3x24 hour RT-PCR results, fill out a health alert card (HAC), have quarantine hotel booking documents for non-migrant workers, fill out e-PCR, confirm immigration documents, filling out customs documents.
- Holding Bay 1: After getting of the plane, international travelers head to the arrival terminal, particularly at holding bay 1 in the Gate 9 waiting room, where immigration officers check passports and countries of origin. Then, International travelers fill out the screening form and document.
- Holding Bay 2: After completing the procedure in holding bay 1, international travelers head to holding bay 2 where Port Health Office (KKP) officers of the Ministry of Health inspect health documents. At this point, there are 2 lines intended for migrant workers and non-migrant workers
- RT-PCR test: After inspection of health documents by KKP officers, international passengers are required to undergo RT-PCR test with a sampling process of about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, the RT-PCR results will be available within a maximum of 1-2 hours. 10 RT-PCR booths are provided to serve international travelers.
- Immigration Check: After undergoing RT-PCR test, international travelers will be thoroughly inspected for immigration documents by immigration officers where there are 10 immigration check counters.
- Baggage Collection: After the immigration process, international travelers collect their baggage.
- Customs: The next process is inspecting customs documents or IMEI registration.
- Holding Bay 3: International travelers head to holding bay 3 to wait for the RT-PCR results.
- Data collection by the Covid-19 Task Force: After international travelers receive the RT-PCR test results, the Covid-19 Task Force collects data from international travelers by checking the documents and RT-PCR test results.
- Pick-up Area: Next, international travelers head to the pick-up area, head to the quarantine facilities and undergo a mandatory quarantine for 10x24 hours in accordance with the Covid-19 Task Force Circular No. 25/2021 on Health Protocols for Overseas Travel During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
In the early stages, the international passenger arrival capacity or Indonesian Migrant Workers at Juanda Airport was only 300 passengers per day. Juanda Airport also provided a special isolation counter and room for international passengers who tested positive for Covid-19 so that they can head straight to a special vehicle to the designated hospital.
In addition, Juanda Airport operator was also coordinating with KKP of the Ministry of Health to provide S Gene Target Failure (SGTF) facility so that health checks at the airport can identify the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Juanda Airport also regulated airport operating hours and flight slots to prevent passenger backlog.
“Angkasa Pura Airports is always committed to implementing health protocols and supporting the enforcement of air travel requirements, especially for international travelers entering through Juanda Airport in Surabaya. Angkasa Pura Airports also coordinated closely with all relevant stakeholders so that services for international flights at Juanda Airport can be implemented smoothly according to the regulations,” Faik Fahmi said.
