Transportation Minister: Kertajati Airport to Serve as Premium Airport

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi delivers press statement after attending a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Jokowi at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Friday (03/24). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

In a bid to improve transportation accessibility in West Java province, the Government announced the plan to make Kertajati Airport in Majalengka an alternative to international airport.

“Since the beginning the President has assigned me to develop the airport so it becomes an alternative to international airport. We also know that West Java only has Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung with a short runway, while Kertajati Airport has a 3,000-meter-long runway,” Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated after attending a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Friday (03/24).

The Minister went on to say that the airport will also be prepared to serve as a premium airport.

“Kertajati Airport is also expected to serve as premium airport since it has the same runway length as Kulon Progo’s, which is slightly shorter than Soekarno-Hata airport with 3,300 [meters]. By that, the world’s biggest cargo plane Antonov can take off from the runway,” he said, adding that the Cisumdawu toll road which connects Bandung and Kertajati will support the airport access.

According to the Minister, the President ordered him to make the airport function effectively to ease overload at Soekarno-Hatta airport, which can reach 1,100 or 1,200 movements per day with higher occupancy.

“Soekarno-Hatta is at the maximum point already. The President ordered that Kertajati Airport can be used by those who travel abroad, those who transport goods, as well as those who will perform umrah (minor haj),” he said.

“When I visited Saudi Arabia, I was warmly welcomed by Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Minister of Transportation, and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The GACA have conducted observations of Kertajati Airport and declared the airport can function effectively. We also hope that the tradition of mudik (Eid going hometown) can work well,” he added.

On that occasion, the Minister also said that his ministry and West Java provincial government will oversee the necessary process to attract investors to Kertajati Airport.

“The President has ordered me to comply with the regulations while implementing the process. I have also met with Governor of West Java several times to discuss that matter to avoid any violations related to traffic regulations,” he remarked. (FID/AIT/MIT) (RIF/RAS/HD)