PONDERINGPOINT
ALLURING AIRPORT… SERVICES, SO-SO?
PHOTO BY NYOMAN ARI GUNADI
In early 2009, the Vice President of the Republic Jusuf Kalla formally announced that the Ngurah Rai airport would undergo expansion this year. This was announced in front of state officials at the international airport’s development meeting.
P
flyover to the airport entrance as well as
in local news portals that he worried about
implementing modern architecture.
the Visa on Arrival (VoA) queues. They
The big dream is to make a big and
are too long and can go on for hours. We
alluring airport to accommodate the high
can imagine that inconvenience after long
tourist arrivals to Bali. However, an airport
flights. It needs more VoA booths. Bali is
is a gateway. It is the first thing people see
one of Japan’s main holiday destinations
about Bali and the last impression they get
and the Japanese contribute significantly
at the end of their visit. They must have
to Bali’s tourism.
memorable impressions in the start and end. If we compare Ngurah Rai with other
Another problem is immigration services. Once we received a letter from a
airports in Indonesia, Bali has to proud. It
tourist protesting the immigration services’
hysical development and
almost always persists in the big three of
extortion by an official. He claimed that
service upgrades are two
the best airports in Indonesia.
an official urged him to pay more than he
things that should go in
In 2007, the Department of
should. He did not get clear explanation
synergy. Especially in
Transportation placed Ngurah Rai Airport
while the official kept pushing and even
regards to an important
as the best airport of Indonesia based on
threatening. He was discomforted; lost
place the likes of an
auditing results on the airport’s operations.
desire for a decent holiday, and all resulted
Some aspects are flight safety, security
in damaging contra-promotion for Bali and
and public services in the terminals.
Indonesia. Certainly not what we expect.
international airport. In early 2009, the Vice President of the
Republic Jusuf Kalla formally announced
Meanwhile in 2008, Marketing
Some people are just narrow-minded
that the Ngurah Rai airport would undergo
Magazine, a national periodical, announced
when they think about money. They assume
expansion this year. This was announced
the results of the Service Quality Awards.
all tourists are well-heeled and come to
in front of state officials at the international
It was a joint cooperation between the
Bali to spend all their money. The reality is
airport’s development meeting.
magazine and the Customer Centric
that many people come with tight budgets.
Organization (CARRE). It stated that the
Overall, there is no reason to justify extortion.
The development progress plans to go ahead in April and will continue over 2
Ngurah Rai Airport was runner-up for The
years with an approximate budget of 1.2
Best Airport in Indonesia.
There are many things that need to be corrected at Ngurah Rai Airport in both its
trillion rupiah - a huge figure in regards to
This achievement can indeed make
the current global economic crisis. Jusuf
Bali proud, but even so it is still too far
an airport merely undergoing expansion is
Kalla said the funds are from PT Angkasa
to compare Indonesia airports with its
not the only solution.
Pura, a state-owned corporation that
neighbour, Singapore’s Changi Airport.
In the next two years, hopefully, Bali
handles airport management. Another
Many surveys place Changi among the
will have a better and more alluring airport.
source is Bank Mandiri, another state-
best ten airports in the world – in both
It could be the most beautiful airport in
owned corporation.
physical and service aspects.
Indonesia. But we have to admit that an
At least there are some important
There are many things at Ngurah Rai
physical and service aspects. The idea of
attractive and beautiful body will be useless
points on the broad plans. Firstly,
that need to be evaluated. From small
if there are no other improvements in
the domestic terminal will undergo
things such as toilet cleanliness and
terms of services, safety, security, comfort,
expansion. Then it will swap position as
inadequate air conditioning in many areas,
cleanliness, etc. Just like a pretty girl, if she
the international terminal. Secondly, there
to the many ticket scalpers, and insufficient
is no-brainer and untidy, not many will be
will be several new improvements to the
information stations, etc. Kojiro Shiojiri,
interested! ■
infrastructure such as an addition of a
Japan’s Ambassador for Indonesia stated
Text by Ni Luh Dian Purniawati
34
BALI&BEYOND
APRIL 2009