Southern Java Airspace to be Opened for Civil Aviation on 17 August

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung delivers the results of a limited meeting on Wednesday (13/7), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta

The Government has decided to use airspace in the southern part of Java that have been restricted for civil aviation.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Agus Supriatna have also agreed on the suggestion proposed by Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan on this matter.

“Thus, this utilization is expected to be realized on 17 August 2016 and Minister of Transportation will evaluate it from 17 August to 17 September 2016,” Pramono told the reporters after a limited meeting on the Civil Enclave Airport Operation and Utilization of Airspace in the southern part of Java on Wednesday (13/7), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.

According to Pramono, in addition to the plan, the President has also decided to develop the southern part of Java.

“The decision regarding the place where a new airport will be developed whether in Blitar, Trenggalek, or Malang need to be further assessed,” he said.

By utilizing the southern airspace, it will save 15 percent of fuel and prices are expected to fall by 10 percent during a flight to Bali.

Pramono explained that the use of airspace in southern Java is done considering Java is a densely populated island. Therefore, the southern areas of Central Java, East Java, and West Java will be utilized and it will reduce density of the airspace on northern Java significantly since it is the five most densely airspace in the world. Thus, it is time to use the southern airspace.

“The President has instructed us to prepare a Presidential Regulation so that the use of southern airspace can be immediately materialized,” Pramono stated. (FID/JAY/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)