Air Traffic Controllers Protest Against New Regulation
Thursday, 18 January, 2007 | 14:36 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesia Air Traffic Controller Association (ATC) has protested against the ban on commercial planes taking direct routes as usual.

The new regulation of the Transportation Department is considered to cause delays to plane schedules that will result in losses for consumers.

According to Kristianto, the association's secretary general, this regulation has also cut off the air controller's function.

“This is the same as cutting off the function of the air traffic controller (ATC),” he said in Jakarta yesterday (17/1).

The regulation about having to follow air routes will also cause plane fuel wastage.

On January 4, three days after Adam Air plane went missing, the Land Transportation Directorate General issued circular letter no. AU.0086/DKP.001/07 obligating air traffic service units and pilots to follow air routes that have been determined.

This provision has been made in order to increase flight safety.

However, according to the letter, deviations are allowed if there are reasons that affect safety.

M. Iksan Tatang, Air Transportation Director General, could not be contacted for an explanation.

When Tempo tried to ring him on his cellular phone, the call was unanswered.

Kristianto explained that around 800 planes operate at Soekarno-Hatta, Cengkareng airport every day.

With direct routes, planes only need three to four minutes to enter a landing path, while with air routes, planes need between seven and ten minutes.

HARUN MAHBUB BILLAH | SANDY INDRA PRATAMA | RR ARIYANI