Surabaya, Kartunet – The Silent Announcement System, set to be implemented by PT Angkasapura I at Juanda Airport starting June 1st, violates air transport regulations. This system, which will eliminate voice announcements and replace them with scrolling text around the airport area, breaches provisions in the Minister of Transportation Regulation and also the Aviation Law, particularly concerning articles on services for passengers with special needs.
The East Java Disability Advocacy Network (JADI-Jatim) conducted a material review of the case and found that PT Angkasapura I has violated regulations in two legislative products.
- That the airline company (PT. ANGKASAPURA 1) is obliged to give top priority to persons with disabilities (persons with special needs) both before flying; during flying; and after flying (Article 57 (1) Minister of Transportation Regulation PM. 49/2012)
- Additional pre-flight service standards for passengers with special needs as referred to in Article 57 paragraph (1) letter a consist of:
- flight information;
- check-in;
- process to the waiting room; and
- boarding.
- Article 59 PM. 49/2012 Flight information service standards for passengers with special needs as referred to in Article 58 letter a, is the provision of accurate and clear flight information for prospective passengers with special needs through easily accessible public media regarding:
- facilities available at the origin and destination airports for passengers with special needs; and
- facilities provided by scheduled commercial air transport business entities for passengers with special needs
- Article 134 in conjunction with Article 239 of Law No. 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation clearly provides service standards implemented in the articles above, ensuring accurate and clear flight information for prospective passengers with special needs through easily accessible public media regarding:
- facilities available at the origin and destination airports for passengers with special needs; and
- facilities provided by scheduled commercial air transport business entities for passengers with special needs.
The regulations guaranteeing the comfort of passengers with disabilities using airport services are clear. It is hoped that PT Angkasapura I will promptly evaluate its policy, and that services for persons with disabilities will improve further in the future.(DPM)