- tvOne/Arri Lasso
VIVA – State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura (AP) I at the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) encourages regional exporters to optimize international flight services to expedite the growth of cargo traffic in the area.
General Manager of AP I at YIA Agus Pandu Purnama noted in a statement here on Monday that since the airport was stipulated in the Circular Letter of the Transportation Ministry Number 42 of 2022 as one of the entry points for international flights, the export and import actors should utilize the direct flight services optimally.
Considering the location of the airport, YIA can become a potential international cargo hub for business actors in Yogyakarta, East Java, Central Java, and West Java.
YIA’s domestic cargo terminal has an area spanning 3,546 square meters, with a capacity of 390 tons, while the international cargo terminal measures as large as 2,304 square meters, with a capacity of 250 tons.
"The potential is also supported by the plan to establish a cargo village and an aerotropolis area," the official remarked.
Assistant of Yogyakarta Regional Secretary for Economic Affairs and Development Tri Saktiyana has assessed that the opening of international flights at YIA can be an opportunity for regional micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) product exporters.
"Meanwhile, a consolidator is needed to facilitate the exports of MSMEs products," he noted.
In addition, collaboration between the manufacturing industry and tourism sector is required to encourage the opening of more direct international routes.
Head of the Yogyakarta Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) Yuyun Yunastuti stated that the potential of YIA as a cargo services provider should be supported by the provision of direct flight services to various destinations, including China, Thailand, Vietnam, the United States, as well as Europe.
"Collaboration among airlines, regulated agents, as well as import-export players in Yogyakarta is expected to improve to facilitate direct shipping activities," she added. (ant)
