Indian-Ocean: Air operations Update - 9

Content

INDONESIA

 Indian-Ocean: NIAS - Flash Air Sitrep - 14.00 HRS (INDONESIA LOCAL)

• GENERAL
• AIRFIELDS
• Medan
• Banda Aceh
• Other Airfields in Disaster Area
• AIRCRAFT
• Military
• Under Control of UNHAS
• MOVEMENT OF PASSENGERS AND CARGO
• Cargo Statistics

GENERAL

In order to meet the additional air cargo requirement identified in Banda Aceh in early March, it was decided by the Banda Aceh Country Management Team that more airlift capacity was required.  Subsequently, one Twin Otter and 2 more helicopters have arrived.  UNJLC at Banda Aceh have introduced an automated, more user friendly passenger booking system which has just been enhanced to handle cargo bookings.  The almost free service most generously donated by Garuda for the movement of humanitarian air cargo between Jakarta and Banda Aceh most usefully continues to deliver small consignments.  This service is due to end on 31 March but we are hopeful it will continue beyond that date.  The so called “pouch” service to carry small, valuable documents between Jakarta and Banda Aceh made a trial run Northbound on 9 Mar 05 but, due to lack of demand did not return until 23 Mar.  It stands ready to be used again if required. 

Subject to confirmed demand, the Banda Aceh Air User Group agreed that there should be new flight services to the Simeulue Island off the North West coast of Sumatra.  Also UNDP wish to make exploratory flights to Singkil and Blangpidie.  However, the continued lack of fuel availability at Meulaboh will hinder these aims.  There have been additional flights to Lhokseumawe in North East Sumatra with effect from 21 March 2005.  The flight schedules from Banda Aceh to the West coast will remain in place until 31 March 2005 when they will be reviewed to ensure they continue to meet user requirements.

AIRFIELDS

Medan

Medan is used to receive air cargo coming in to the country which: either cannot be delivered directly to Banda Aceh; or is destined for locations elsewhere in Northern Sumatra; or for transport by other means.  Air coord meetings have now been discontinued.  There are now several Twin Otter flights serving Meulaboh and Banda Aceh per week (see flight schedules ).  The Malaysian C130 is no longer available.  However, a second Twin Otter, the addition to the UNHAS fleet mentioned in the first paragraph, has arrived and (subject to confirmation of demand) will begin serving Lhokseumawe further North West up the coast from Medan and Simeulue Island off the North West coast of Sumatra.  Airfield details in UNJLC “airfield assessment” format are available.  The provisional scheduled flights operated by this aircraft will be published as soon as they are available. 

Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh continues to be the focal point for delivery of air cargo which can be delivered direct and is required for on-move to nearby locations by air or surface means.  Cargo is also delivered to Banda Aceh airport by surface means for on-move by air.  Scheduled helicopter and Twin Otter flights, supplemented by special flights within aircraft/crew availability limits continue to be fully utilised (see flight schedules)The recently arrived extra helicopters enable the additional cargo task to be met at a more measured rate of effort per aircraft.  The Users Group for all modes of transport ex Banda Aceh maintains its active role.  Although efforts to obtain user forecasts of requirements have only been partially successful, the introduction of flights to the new destinations mentioned above is in response to the User Group request. 

Other Airfields in Disaster Area

Following successful meetings at GOI/TNI level to identify suitable short fixed landing strips between Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, UNJLC/UNHAS will now attempt to identify potentially suitable sites.  The slow progress on this issue is due to the pressure of other matters and the fact that potential sites are very difficult to identify.

AIRCRAFT

Military

There are now no military aircraft routinely available to the Humanitarian Community.  Should a special requirement arise, which is outside the capacity of the UNHAS fleet (see below), requests should be directed to UNJLC.

Under Control of UNHAS

Helicopters

Provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID):

• 3 Puma
• 2 Mtv (mi17) (similar to Mi 8 but with heavier lift capability)

Operating from Banda Aceh

• 2 additional Mi 8s, contracted by UNHAS, are now in service.

Fixed Wing

Regional Role

• With the departure of the last IL 76, Subang (Malaysia) and its role as the Strategic Air Hub has finished.

In-Country

• One Twin Otter based at Sabang but operating from Banda Aceh. 
• One Twin Otter based at Medan.

Both Twin Otters are contracted by UNHAS.

MOVEMENT OF PASSENGERS AND CARGO

No show passengers are still at an unacceptably high level of 30%.  While some of this is no fault of the individual, it is still far too high.  UNJLC at Banda Aceh have adopted the automated, more user friendly passenger and cargo booking system, in use in Sudan.   Apart from being more customer-orientated, it will automatically place no-show passengers at the bottom of the list for the next flight.  It is possible to move humanitarian cargo between Jakarta and Banda Aceh almost free of charge due to the generosity of Garuda (see Jakarta Garuda Cargo procedure).

Cargo Statistics

Since the operation started, UNJLC has arranged for the movement of the following amounts of air cargo:

Since the operation started, UNJLC has arranged for the movement of the following amounts of air cargo: