Terminal 3 stores suffering low turnover

JAKARTA. Tenants of Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport say less people are coming to their outlets since Mandala Airlines stopped operating in January.

“After Mandala halted its operations, our sales declined rapidly from Rp 5-6 million (US$550-660) per day to Rp 1-2 million per day,” said Siti Mariam, an employee of Bakso Ino restaurant’s Terminal 3 branch, on Wednesday.

At present, Air Asia is the only airline operating at the terminal. Previously, when Mandala Airlines was still operating, many of the airlines’ local passengers came to eat meatballs or noodles at the restaurant, Siti said.

Rani, a Batik Keris employee shared a similar experience. “It’s very different now. No people come to the shop,” she said.

Terminal 3 general manager Arif Dharmawan admitted it was a tough time for the tenants. “The number of passengers has declined since Mandala stopped operating. But we expect Mandala to operate again soon, in March,” he said.

Mandala Airlines halted its operations on Jan. 13 after its management announced it was having difficulties with debt and needed to “restructure”. The company promised to resume flights within 45 days or in March. The Terminal 3 building area covers 5,000 square meters and house’s 29 tenant outlets. (The Jakarta Post)