SRG

Mengenal Ahmad Yani International Airport

10 August 202110 August 2021travelingpersecond

Free business trip kali ini kumulai dengan sangat mendadak dan berbekal ala kadarnya. Yang terpenting barang kesayangan tak tertinggal….Tak lain adalah Canon EOS M10 warna hitam. Selain perbekalan, itinerary juga tak pernah tersusun sebelum berangkat. Empat hari ke depan aku akan menjadi “Si Bolang” yang bermain sesuka hati.

Ketika Citilink mulai take-off meninggalkan Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, aku pun tak pernah memikirkan apapun perihal Ahmad Yani International Airport. Memoriku masih sama tentangnya. Sederhana, tak besar, ruang tunggu yang langsung bertatap muka dengan moncong pesawat ketika parkir. Begitulah lembaran ingatan yang tersusun rapi dalam cabinet otakku. Bagaimanapun, beberapa tahun lalu, Ahmad Yani International Airport berperan besar dalam melepas landaskan penerbangan pertama kalinya dalam sejarah hidupku.

Oh ternyata…..

“Ini berbeda, sungguh menakjubkan”, gumamku ketika mengintipnya melalui jendela saat QG 144 sedang taxiing menuju apron.

Benar adanya, Ahmad Yani International Airport yang berkode IATA “SRG” ini sudah mentransformasi dirinya menjadi super elegan. Aku diturunkan bersebelahan parkir dengan “Maskapai Singa Merah”. Melangkah dibawah sayap raksasa, tampak bangunan utama terminal menampilkan hamparan jendela kaca yang memamerkan pilar-pilar besar di dalamnya. Cahaya surya tampak menembus sempurna seisi ruangan dalam bangunan berkaca itu.

Aspal pada jalur kendaraan bandara pun masih terlihat sangat hitam dan halus, pertanda lintasan ini belum lama digunakan. Rambu-rambu yang menempel di aspal masih putih sempurna. Tembok terminal masih berwarna krem menyala.

A. Arrival

Aku memasuki koridor arrival hall menuju ke area baggage claim. Lantai yang masih mengkilat memantulkan cahaya lampu dalam pola yang teratur, ruangan kaca disebelah kiri masih berstatus underconstruction sedangkan sisi kanan koridor sudah beroperasi beberapa toilet, lift, dan musholla. Beberapa rak berisi pot-pot bunga sepatu memperindah sudut-sudut ruangan.

Beberapa konter baggage service milik beberapa maskapai masih tampak tutup, mungkin maskapai yang bersangkutan belum beroperasi di terminal ini.

Setelah melalui baggage claim area, deretan konter penyedia informasi telah dipersiapkan seperti Tourist Information Center, BP3TKI, money changer dan perusahaan persewaan mobil TRAC. Sementara antara bangunan utama dan ruas jalan untuk keluar-masuk bandara dipisahkan oleh hamparan air. Ya, aku kini sedang berada di terminal terapung seluas 7 hektar yang didirikan diatas rawa.

Area pintu keluar diletakkan di bawah sebuah koridor berkanopi dan berangka balok baja bercat putih. Koridor ini menghubungkan arrival hall dan commercial zone bandara. Keberadaan kolam, umbrella shade dengan kursi-kursi dibawahnya dan taman tertanam pohon bertinggi sedang dengan sebaran berpola menjadikan penampakan area pintu keluar menjadi sangat apik. Di sinilah para penjemput menunggu kedatangan tamu atau sanak saudara mereka yang baru saja mendarat.

Begitu melewati pintu keluar terdapatlah photospot area dengan background presiden Joko Widodo yang sedang mengontel sepeda kebo. Dilanjutkan dengan keberadaan toilet, nursery room, money changer, musholla dan ATM area.

Koridor dengan sederet ATM beberapa bank.

Layar airpot digital clock sudah menunjukkan pukul 17:09, ketika aku memasuki commercial zone. Tampak dua meja customer service dominan hijau diletakkan sejajar dengan exit gate. Sedangkan bangku bangku tunggu berselang-seling warna hitam merah melingkari setiap pilar-pilar utama bangunan terminal serta berjajar di beberapa sisi dinding yang kosong. Beberapa spot foto berada di pojok bangunan, sedangkan departure and arrival flight information LCD menguasai zona tengah sehingga mudah diakses oleh semua penumpang dan pengunjung bandara.

Area commercial zone sudah ditempati beberapa brand ternama seperti X-Side Eat, A&W, Kukomart, Bank BNI, Eaten Kopi Tiam dan brand lainnya.

Keluar dari commerzial zone building, aku disambut oleh koridor ganda yang dipisahkan oleh jalur kendaraan roda empat. Ini zona taksi dan drop and pickup zone. Koridor ini tampak rapi dengan tiang tiang bulat dan beratapkan spandek.Sementara di bawah naungan, disusunlah kursi tunggu di sepanjang koridor. Aku sendiri memilih moda transportasi taksi menuju pusat kota, mengingat ini adalah business trip yang semua biayanya ditanggung oleh kantor tempatku bekerja.

B. Departure

Tiga hari berselang, aku menyambangi kembali bandara ini untuk pulang ke ibukota. Taksi online menurunkanku di tempat yang sama ketika aku meninggalkan bandara saat tiba di hari pertama. Aku menginjakkan kaki di drop and pickup zone lalu bergegas mencari check-in area di dalam bangunan terminal.

Memasuki commercial zone, aku terus melaluinya saja, banyak calon penumpang yang nampak bersantai di area ini, baik di area umum atau menyantap makanan di beberapa coffee shop. Begitu keluar dari commercial zone aku memasuki area beratap transparan bertiang baja dengan dua layar check-in information LCD, sementara di sisi kanan tersaji geladak kayu dengan sejumlah pot palem diatasnya sedangkan bagian lainnya berupa kolam air yang merendam tiang-tiang pancang pondasi terminal sehingga memberikan kesan bahwa ini adalah terimal penumpang terapung….Keren sekali.

Taman dan kolam disisi kanan *departure hall*.

Di ujung taman dan kolam, aku memasuki sebuah gedung yang berfungsi sebagai check-in area. Seperti pada taman di luarnya, check-in area ini tampak tinggi dan luas. Jajaran konter check-in memanjang hingga bilangan tiga puluh di salah satu sisi hall. Sementara konter ‘Total Baggage Solution” berwarna oranye siap membantu setiap penumpang me-wrapping bagasinya untuk mengamankannya selama proses loading & unloading bagasi ke lambung pesawat.

Aku bergegas menuju ke waiting room setelah mendapatkan boarding pass, melewati sebuah koridor sempit dengan sisi kiri jendela kaca menghadap taman dan sisi kanan tertutup oleh triplek proyek pengerjaan ruang fungsional. Di ujung koridor, tepat berhadapan dengan iPORT shop, aku dibelokkan ke kiri menuju commercial zone. Beberapa toko pakaian seperti POLO atau coffee shop macam Starbucks ada di area ini.

Aku mulai memasuki waiting room, berkursi tunggu hijau, berkarpet pola abu-abu, dilengkapi dengan musholla, executive lounge, smoking area, toilet, charging area, LCD TV dan free internet counter. Di beberapa spot disediakan photospot.

Dan akhirnya, sore itu aku meninggalkan Ahmad Yani International Airport melalui gate 2A. Itulah cerita singkat eksplorasiku mengenai bandara kebanggaan warga Semarang.

Silahkan berkunjung ke Kota Atlas dan nikmati keindahannya.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Citilink QG 144 dari Jakarta (HLP) ke Semarang (SRG)

25 July 202110 August 2021travelingpersecond

Rute penerbangan QG 144 (sumber: https://flightaware.com/).

Yeaaaa….Aku mendapatkan business trip akhir pekan. Seperti biasa, aku selalu mensiasati tugas kantor untuk tetap bisa menyalurkan hobby andalan….Yes, eksplorasi. Tugas pelatihan Jum’at dan Sabtu, akan kusambung dengan extend hingga Ahad dalam perjalanan gratisan ini.

SEMARANG….

Itulah kota tujuanku kali ini. Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport menjadi titik tolak dan Ahmad Yani International Airport menjadi titik mendaratku.

Bos : “Don, saya belum dapat orang untuk menghandle training di Semarang. Kamu bisa ga ya, kalau akhir pekan ini pergi ke Semarang?. Mendadak sih Don, sorry sebelumnya”.

Aku: “Hhmmhh (pura-pura mikir), boleh lah pak (sok jual mahal, padahal mau bingiiitttzzzz)”

Bos: “Kamu berangkat Kamis sore, pulang Sabtu sore, nanti biar tiket diurus orang Marketing Support”.

Aku: “Siap, Pak”.

Setelah pembicaraan selesai, secepat kilat kutelpon staff Marketing Support yang dimaksud. Aku minta kepulanganku di extend hingga Ahad sore. “Biar akomodasi hari Ahad aku yang tanggung, tapi tiket pulang tetap kantor yang bayar”, seruku padanya yang disusul dengan konfirmasi “OK, Pak Donny”.

Wah senangnya hatiku….Jalan-jalan lageeeeee.

Pagi itu, aku masih bekerja seperti biasa hingga tengah hari. Setelah menaruh beat pop hitam kesayangan di rumah, aku berangkat menuju Halim. Tak jauh, hanya 25 menit dari landmark tempat tinggalku, Terminal Bus Kampung Rambutan.

Aku tiba di bandara sangat mepet dengan boarding time, membuatku berfokus pada memotong panjangnya antrian di konter check-in. Entah mengapa, para calon penumpang yang mengantri di depanku selalu memanggil teman-temannya ketika sudah berada di depan konter, membuat jengkel karena banyak penumpang yang mengantri dibelakangku bisa otomatis menyodok antrian….Parah.

Aku mendapatkan tiket tepat sepuluh menit sebelum boarding time. Itulah….Aku tak lagi berfikir mendokumentasikan setiap sesi di Halim Perdanakusuma

Alhamdulillah, selamat dari keterlambatan.

Aku memasuki gate 6 dengan nafas cepat karena khawatir tertinggal penerbangan. Tak sempat mendinginkan keringat, panggilan penerbangan itu tiba. Tanpa sempat duduk, aku segera bersiap diri menuju Semarang sore itu.

*Waiting room* Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

Citilink menjadi daftar maskapai ke-12 dari 28 maskapai yang pernah kunaiki. Bangga bisa menikmati penerbangan maskapai berwarna korporat hijau itu. Warna yang melambangkan tiga makna yaitu young-fun-dynamic. Inilah anak dari maskapai kenamaan Garuda Indonesia. Dan yang lebih membanggakan adalah terpilihnya Citilink dalam daftar The 20 Best Budget Airline for 2019 versi Skytrax.

Pemandangan keren, ya. Hanya perlu berjalan kaki dari *gate* 6 menuju ke pesawat.

Lihat ACnya, hingga berkabut begitu….Dingiiiiin.

Seharusnya aku duduk di bangku 23A, persis di window seat.

Seorang Ibu: “Mas, bangkunya tuker ya. Saya pusing kalau tidak dekat jendela”.

Aku: “ Oh silahkan Ibu, tidak apa-apa”, hmmmh perlahan kumasukkan Canon EOS M10 ku, tak ada gunanya kupegang, aku tak bakalan bisa meng-capture indahnya bumi dari bangku bernomor 23C.

Linkers….Inflight magazine milik Citilink.

Perjalanan menempuh jarak 400 km ini ditempuh dalam waktu 50 menit. Jadi ini adalah penerbangan singkat yang sangat tanggung untuk dibuat tidur. Lebih baik, aku menyusun itinerary dadakan dari beberapa referensi yang kudapat serta menyusun anggaran perjalanan.

Sore itu perjalanan sungguh berat karena sepanjang pantai utara Jawa penuh dengan awan yang membuat penerbangan penuh turbulensi. Kufikir semua penumpang terdiam karena memikirkan hal yang sama….Hahaha. Sementara seorang pramugara terus berpegangan pada bagasi kabin untuk menahannya terlempar karena turbulensi. Senang tapi menegangkan. Aku sendiri selalu berserah diri kepada Yang Maha Kuasa ketika melakukan penerbangan.

Begitu leganya, ketika suara lembut pramugari mengarahkan segenap penumpang untuk bersiap mendarat. Memasuki kota Semarang, cuaca berubah cerah dan pesawat mulai langsir dengan lembut dan akhirnya….Touchdown Semarang.

Oh itu, bentuk bangunan baru Ahmad Yani International Airport.

Pelatihan yang ditugaskan oleh kantor masih berlangsung esok hari dan rehearsel pelatihan sudah diwakilkan oleh rekanku yang datang dari kantor cabang Surabaya sejak pagi tadi. Dia memilih menggunakan kereta dari Surabaya menuju Semarang. Jadi, aku tak perlu terburu waktu menuju ke hotel setelah mendarat.

Seperti biasa, aku akan mengeksplore gerbang wisata Kota Semarang ini…..Yes, Ahmad Yani International Airport.

Kuy lah….

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Exploring Ahmad Yani International Airport

14 September 202013 September 2020travelingpersecond

I started this free business trip, very suddenly and equipped myself sufficiently. The most important thing was, my lovely tool wasn’t left behind….None other than black Canon EOS M10. Apart from supplies, an itinerary was never arranged before leaving. In the next four days, I will be an explorer who played as I pleases.

When Citilink started to take-off and leaving Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, I never thought anything about Ahmad Yani International Airport. My memory is still the same about it. Simple, not big, a waiting room which is directly face to face with plane muzzle when it’s parking. Those are memory sheets which neatly arranged in my brain cabinet. However, several years ago, Ahmad Yani International Airport was playing a role in taking off for the first flight in my life.

Oh apparently…..

“It’s different, it’s amazing“, I muttered when I peeked through plane window when Citilink QG 144 was taxiing towards the apron.

It’s true, Ahmad Yani International Airport which have IATA code “SRG“, has transformed itself into a super elegant airport. I was dropped off in parking lot, next to Lion Air plane. Stepping under giant wing, main terminal building looked like a stretch of glass windows which showing off large pillars inside. Solar light appeared to perfectly penetrate the entire room in glass building.

Asphalt on airport vehicle lane still looked very black and smooth, a sign that this route was recently operated. Road markings which stuck to asphalt were still perfectly white. The terminal wall was still a light beige.

A. Arrival

I entered arrival hall corridor towards baggage claim area. The floor was still shiny and reflected the lights in a regular pattern, glass room on left was still under construction status, while corridor right side had several toilets, lifts and a prayer room in operation. Several shelves containing shoe flower pots were beautify room corners.

Some baggage service counters of several airlines still appeared to be closed, maybe the airlines concerned weren’t operating yet at this terminal.

After going through baggage claim area, a row of information provider counters have been prepared, such as Tourist Information Center, BP3TKI, money changers and TRAC car rental companies. Meanwhile, between main building and road for in and out of the airport are separated by a stretch of water. Yes, I was currently in a floating terminal which covering 7 hectares area which was built on a swamp.

The exit area is under a canopy corridor and framed by whitewashed steel beams. This corridor connects arrival hall and commercial zone of airport. The existence of a pool, umbrella shade with chairs under it and a garden planted with medium tall trees with a patterned distribution make exit area appearance is very neat. Here is where the pick-up await their guests arrival or relatives who have just landed.

Once past exit gate, there was a photospot area with background of President Joko Widodo who is riding his onthel bicycle. Followed by existence of toilets, nursery rooms, money changers, prayer rooms and ATM areas.

Corridor with a line of ATMs from several banks.

Airport digital clock screen showed 17:09 hours, when I entered commercial zone. Two predominantly green customer service desks appear parallel to exit gate. Meanwhile, black and red waiting benches circle every main pillars in terminal building and several of them line up in several empty walls. Several photo spots are located in building corners, while departure and arrival flight information LCD are in the middle zone so that it is easily accessible to all passengers and visitors.

Commercial zone area was already occupied by several well-known brands such as X-Side Eat, A&W, Kukomart, Bank BNI, Eaten Kopi Tiam and other brands.

Exiting commercial zone building, I was greeted by a double corridor separated by a four-wheeled vehicle lane. This is taxi zone and drop and pickup zone. This corridor looks neat with round poles and spandex roofs. Meanwhile, under the shade, waiting chairs are arranged along corridor. I myself chose taxi transportation mode to downtown, considering that this was a business trip which all costs were paid by office where I work.

B. Departure

Three days later, I returned to this airport to return to capital city. Online taxi dropped me off at same place where I left the airport when I arrived on the first day. I set foot in drop and pickup zone then rushed to find check-in area inside of terminal building.

Entering commercial zone, I just continued through it, many prospective passengers seemed to be relaxing in this area, either in public area or eating food at several coffee shops. As soon as I left commercial zone, I entered a transparent roofed area with steel pillars with two LCD check-in information screens, while on right side there was a wooden deck with number of palm pots on it, while the other part was a pool which soaked terminal piles, it was giving a impression that this is a floating passenger terminal …. Very cool.

Garden and pool on right side of departure hall.

At the end of garden and pond, I entered a building which served as a check-in area. As in garden outside, this check-in area looks tall and wide. Thirty check-in counters stretches on a hall side. Meanwhile, “Total Baggage Solution” counter is ready to help each passenger for wrapping their luggage to secure it during loading & unloading process in plane hull.

I rushed to waiting room after getting my boarding pass, passing through a narrow corridor which in its left side is glass window which facing a garden and the right side is covered by plywood of a functional space project. At the end of corridor, facing iPORT shop, I turned left into commercial zone. Several clothing stores such as POLO or coffee shops like Starbucks are in this area.

I started to enter waiting room which have green waiting chairs, carpeted in gray patterns, equipped with a prayer room, executive lounge, smoking area, toilet, charging area, LCD TV and free internet counter. In some spots, a photospot was provided.

And finally, that afternoon I left Ahmad Yani International Airport through gate 2A. That was short story of my exploration in an airport which Semarang residents were proud of it.

Let’s visit Atlas City and enjoy its beauty!.

Citilink QG 144 from Jakarta (HLP) to Semarang (SRG)

2 September 20202 September 2020travelingpersecond

Flight route QG 144 (source: https://flightaware.com/).

Yeaaaa …. I had a weekend business trip. As usual, I always made a strategy for my office duties assignments in order to keep my main hobby….Yes, exploration. After my training assignment for Friday and Saturday, I would extend my trip to Sunday in this free trip.

SEMARANG….

That was the city which I was going to this time. Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport was my starting point and Ahmad Yani International Airport was my landing point.

Boss: “Donny, I haven’t got anyone to handle our training in Semarang. Can you do that? You must go to Semarang this weekend!. It’s suddenly Donny, I’m sorry before”.

Me: “Hhmmhh (I pretend to think), it’s okay sir“

Boss: “You go on Thursday afternoon and back on Saturday afternoon, let Marketing Support staff buy your tickets.“

Me : “Yes, Sir”.

After our conversation was over, I immediately called the Marketing Support staff. I asked for my return ticket to be extended until Sunday afternoon. “I’ll be responsible for accommodation cost on Sunday, but my return ticket is still paid by office“, I said to her, then be followed by her confirmation “OK, Mr. Donny“.

Wow, my heart was happy….Traveling again.

That morning, I was still working as usual until noon. After saving my favorite black “beat pop” (beat pos is a brand of Honda motorbike) at home, I went to Halim. Not far, only 25 minutes from a landmark where I stay near it, Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal.

I arrived at the airport very close with boarding times, causing me to focus on the length of queues at check-in counters. For some reason, passengers who was queueing in front of me always called their friends when they were in front of the counter, it was very annoying, because many passengers who are queueing behind me could automatically overtook the queue….It was bad.

I exactly got the ticket on ten minutes before boarding time. Because of it…. I no longer think about documenting every my session at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

I entered gate 6 with a quick breath because fearing of missing my flight. Not having time to cooled off my sweat, the flight call arrived. Without having time to sat down, I immediately got ready to fly to Semarang that afternoon.

*Waiting room* in Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

Citilink is on 12th airline list of 28 airlines which I’ve ever ridden. Proud to be able to enjoying a flight from this airline which its corporate colour is green. The color symbolizes three meanings, i.e young-fun-dynamic. This is subsidiary of the famous airline in Indonesia i.e Garuda Indonesia. And surely more proud when Citilink was selected in the list of “The 20 Best Budget Airline for 2019” by Skytrax.

Cool view, huh. Only needed to walk from gate 6 to the plane.

Look at the air conditioner, so foggy….Cold.

I should have sat on seat 23A, right in the window seat.

A Woman : “Sir, can I swap seat with you. I get dizzy when I’m not near the window”.

Me: “Oh, It’s okay mom“, hmmmh slowly I entered my Canon EOS M10 camera to my bag, I wouldn’t use it during flight, I won’t be able to capture beauty of the earth from plane seat number 23C.

Linkers… .Inflight magazine belonging to Citilink.

This 400 km trip was taken in 50 minutes. So this was a very short flight and very short time too for sleeping. Better, I compiled an impromptu itinerary from some references which I got and compiled a travel budget.

That afternoon, my journey was really tough because north coast of Java Sea was full of clouds which made my flight was full of turbulence. I thought all passengers were silent because of thinking the same thing….Hahaha. Meanwhile, an air crew continued to hold on to cabin baggage to save him from throwning off due to turbulence. Happy but thrilling. I myself always surrender to “The Almighty” when I fly.

So relieved, when soft voice of flight attendant directed all passengers to get ready to landing. Entering Semarang CIty, weather turned sunny and plane started to smooth landing and finally….Semarang Touchdown.

Oh that, Ahmad Yani International Airport new building.

The training which was assigned by office was still ongoing tomorrow and training rehearel had been represented by my colleague who came from Surabaya branch office since this morning. He chose to use train from Surabaya to Semarang. So, I didn’t have to rush to hotel after landing.

As usual, I would explore tourist gate of Semarang City….Yes, Ahmad Yani International Airport.

Come on, guys….