The Impact of Closing Commercial Flights in Batam, Cargo Business Threatened to Collapse

TRIBUNBATAM.id, BATAM - Since the government stopped commercial flights at Batam's Hang Nadim Airport due to Covid-19, now cargo activity at the airport has been quiet.

The reason is the suspension of commercial flights is also hampering the activities of cargo workers in Batam.

"Living reluctant, but don't want to die," said Erwanto, a cargo service provider at Batam's Hang Nadim Airport, Monday (4/27/2020).

To date, only one airline has signaled that it will carry cargo.

"The airline is Citilink. They walk twice a week on Wednesday and Friday. While other airlines have no signs of carrying cargo," he explained.

This condition also requires every cargo company to take efficient steps to stay afloat.

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Erwanto said, like it or not, every cargo company had to lay off some of its workers first.

"Maybe until the end of this month can get a full salary. But what about the next month? No matter how strong it is, the company will not be able to do it now," he added.

For him the impact of Covid-19 pandemic defeated the monetary crisis at Indonesia in 1998.

He hoped that the pandemic could soon be overcome, so the economy of Batam citizens would strengthen again.

"Right now, I want to scream the sound is gone. What kind of want to scream to the government," he said.

TRIBUNBATAM.id monitoring in the airport apron area, the condition is so quiet.

Even in the airport court (apron), only a few piles of cargo were seen not far from the fuselage. (TribunBatam.id)

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