Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Inspection of Construction Progress of General Sudirman Airport, 11 June 2021, Purbalingga Regency, Central Java Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Today, I visit Purbalingga regency to inspect construction progress of General Soedirman Airport which has completed its 1,600 meter-long and 30 meter-wide runway. Although the terminal is not completed yet, the first flights were made last week by Citilink airline, namely Jakarta-Purbalingga route and Purbalingga-Surabaya route. Alhamdulillah, thank God, the flights carried more than 70 percent of passengers.

We expect the airport can bring contribution to the economic growth not only in Purbalingga regency, but also in Banyumas, Cilacap, Banjarnegara, Wonosobo, and the surrounding regions including Kebumen. Thus, this airport is also expected to increase mobility of the people and goods, and mobility of logistics that will eventually boost the economic growth in the southern part of Central Java province.

I am delighted to see this airport. It is really great. Although the terminal has not fully completed yet, the airport can be used for operation. This way, the airport will be more productive and it is better than we wait for the terminal to be fully completed before starting the flights. I think similar method can be adopted to other airports in which the development process is still underway.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. Allow me to extend my appreciation to the Governor of Central Java, Regent of Purbalingga, and people in Purbalingga and its surrounding regions who have contributed in this development.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikumwarahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (RAS/MUR)