I have been thru too many airports in my last 40 years to last me for the rest of my lifetime! I do not look at them as tourist attractions but a necessary step to tourism. As Indonesia is a country of many islands and vast distances the use of airplane is a must. I have made about 8 trips in the last 11 years to the country and always fond memories of places and friends, Let me update and tell you briefly on my airports in Indonesia!And, plenty of domestic flights once there!
My main point of entry was the Jakarta International Airport (Soekarno-Hatta), the main airport serving the greater Jakarta area on the island of Java. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu, who also designed Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) airport. The Soekarno-Hatta airport was Inaugurated in 1985, it was named after Soekarno, first president of the Republic of Indonesia, and Hatta, first vice-president. They were the ones who proclaimed the independence of the country in 1945. Jakarta International Airport has 150 check-in counters, 30 baggage carousels and 42 gates. Each sub-terminal has 25 check-in counters, 5 baggage carrousels and 7 gates at my last count.
The airport is divided into three terminals. Terminal 1 accommodates domestic flights, except for Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia AirAsia, NAM Air and Sriwijaya Air. Terminal 2 accommodates all international flights other than those of SkyTeam companies, as well as domestic flights of Indonesia AirAsia, NAM Air and Sriwijaya Air. Terminal 3 accommodates all Garuda Indonesia flights as well as those of SkyTeam companies. A shuttle system connects the 3 terminals.
Taxi counters are located on the Arrivals level after customs and outside at the taxi stand. Several Taxi companies operate at Jakarta airport, including Blue Bird, Silver Bird, Golden Bird and Gamya. Blue Bird taxis are blue and provide basic taxi service from a reliable company. Silver Bird taxis are black and provide premium taxi service at slightly higher rates. Golden Bird is a limousine service. I have been picked up by locals as well as use the Silver Bird services.
The official Soekarno-Hatta airport : http://www.soekarnohatta-airport.co.id/
The official Jakarta tourist office : https://jakarta-tourism.go.id/visit/
The Surabaya Juanda International Airport serves Surabaya, East Java and surrounding areas. It is my second most used airport in Indonesia. It is located in the kabupaten ,department of Sidoarjo, 20 km south of Surabaya. Open December 7, 1964 as an air and naval base, December 24, 1990, Juanda Airport obtains the status of international airport, after the opening of an international terminal.
The Surabaya Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 is split into a couple of sections: section 1A and section 1B. The Level 1 is the Arrivals level, where check-in counters and baggage claim area are located. Level 2 is for Departures, where the boarding area is located. Find in this level access to boarding gates 1 to 6 ,and 7 to 12. There are lounges close to gates 2, 8 and 11. Terminal 2, handles international flights and some domestic services of Garuda and Indonesia Air Asia. Terminal 2 is the newest one and opened in 2014. It is located at the east side of Terminal 1. The Ground level This is the Check-in area and the Arrivals level. It has a boarding lounge at west and the Arrivals facilities plus the baggage claim can be found at east. Find also here transportation options (bus, taxi, shuttle, car rental). Upper level: This is the Departures area, split into the Domestic and International departures. Access to boarding gates 1 to 9 from a single point. Mezzanine level Find in this level the airport lounges. Taxi ranks are properly located outside Arrivals of both terminals, after the baggage claim area. In order to take a taxi at Surabaya Airport, passengers should purchase a taxi coupon from the transportation counter. Blue Bird and Orenz Taxi.I have was picked always here by locals.
The official Juanda Surabaya airport : https://www.juanda-airport.com/id
The official Surabaya tourist office : http://www.surabayatourism.com/
A very nice experience for me was to go inland into Yogyakarta and Ngoro, etc towns. The Yogyakarta Adisutjipto International Airport was the airport of the city of Yogyakarta. The airport was inaugurated as international in 2004. Adisucipto airport also houses an Indonesian air force base. Adisutjipto will be gradually replaced by the new international airport of Yogyakarta in the kabupaten of Kulon Progo. Airport taxis are available on the arrivals level. Taxi rate is fixed depending on the distance. Purchase a fixed price taxi coupon from the Transportation counter and proceed to the taxi stand outside. This is the one I used; here for the memories of always.
The official oldAdisutjipto airport : https://adisutjipto-airport.co.id/id
The new airport Yogyakarta International Airport or Kulon Progo International Airport, is in the district of Temon, kabupaten of Kulon Progo, which serves the special territory of Yogyakarta in Java, It is 45 km from the city, and was inaugurated on May 6, 2019. The airport became fully operational on 29 March 2020 with all scheduled flights (except turboprops, cargo and other non-commercial flights) relocated from the old airport , This one I have not tried yet.
The new official Yogyakarta airport:: https://yogyakarta-airport.co.id/en
The official Indonesia tourist board on Yogyakarta : https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/java/yogyakarta
The best way to move about in Indonesia using various airlines most of the time Garuda Indonesia; Sriwijaya airline; and Wings, etc. The official Indonesia Tourist board : https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/home
There you go folks, now you all set to enjoy this exotic beautiful country in Asia. Lots of memory of my trips there in the last 11 years! And lots of good friends still in touch. I am always looking forward to be back, eventually. In the meantime, get to know my airports of Indonesia !!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
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