JAKARTA - The Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders’ Association (ALFI) says that it is difficult to use Kertajati Airport as a cargo hub for the e-commerce sector due to the small amount of commercial flights operating to and from the airport.
According to ALFI Central Board Chairman Yukki Nugrahawan, cargo activities for e-commerce cannot be transferred easily to Kertajati while there is still a lack of commercial flights to and from the airport.
“In addition, e-commerce fulfillment is largely centred around Jakarta, and as such the cost of delivery of e-commerce goods will no longer be competitive if Kertajati is forcibly used as a cargo hub,” Mr Nugrahawan told Bisnis.com, Monday (21/10).
Supporting infrastructure, Mr Nugrahawan added, need to be built to support a cargo hub in Kertajati. At the moment, delivery of goods for e-commerce still use passenger airliners, which makes it difficult to increase air cargo traffic if the amount of flights operated in Kertajati is still small.
“It’s difficult to turn Kertajati into a cargo hub because e-commerce goods are still delivered using passenger aircraft instead of cargo aircraft,” Mr Nugrahawan said.
Mr Nugrahawan added that Kertajati Airport’s function as a cargo hub will not be optimal if Patimban Port has not commenced operation. According to him, Kertajati Airport and Patimban Port should come in one package to support the manufacturing industry in West Java. (MS)