President Jokowi Inaugurates Airport Runway 3, East Cross Taxiway, Terminal 3

President Jokowi accompanied by a number of ministers inaugurates runway 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Banten Province, Thursday (23/1). (Photo by: Jay/PR)

In a bid to improve services and connectivity, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Thursday (23/1) inaugurated Runway 3, East Cross Connection Taxiway, and Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten Province.

“By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim and asking for God’s blessings, today I inaugurate the airport’s third runway, East Cross Connection Taxiway, Terminal 3, and VIP building,” President Jokowi said.

The President went on to say that the new runway will increase take-off and landing capacity and he expected that the new infrastructures and facilities will improve the airport’s service quality.

According to President Jokowi, the development of west connection taxiway was begun in 1985 while east connection taxiway has just completed.

“It took 35 years to connect east and west taxiways. The development of west taxiway should be coupled with the east in the first place. Hopefully the new taxiway can increase the airport’s capacity,” he stated.

Also on that occasion, President Jokowi mentioned that he had called for the development of the airport’s fourth terminal considering an increase in air traffic and the number of passengers. The new terminal must be developed before the traffic worsens in order to provide the best service to the people.

In the meantime, Director General of State-owned Airport Operator Angkasa Pura II told the President that the design of the fourth terminal will be finished immediately, and the construction may begin afterward.

“The fourth terminal is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 or at the beginning of 2023,” the President said adding that annual growth in global air traffic passenger can be projected so the Government may consider the urgency of developing a new terminal.

Joining President Jokowi in the event were, among others, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, and Minister of Agrarian Affairs Sofyan Djalil.  (FID/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Mia Medyana