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State-run airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II plans to develop North Sumatra's Kuala Namu International Airport as an aerotropolis to integrate the airport with Belawan Port, Kuala Tanjung Port and Batubara regency, to help spur the province's economic growth.
An aerotropolis is a new urban concept placing airports in the center with cities growing around them, connecting workers, suppliers, goods and executives.
"This concept will support the development of the national strategic areas of Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang, Karo and Mebidangro, as well as the Sei Mangke Special Economic Zone and its surrounding industrial areas," AP II corporate secretary Daryanto told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
He said the company was holding a discussion with officials from the North Sumatra provincial administration in Medan on Thursday in order to determine how to take the plan forward.
'The discussion is very important for both parties so that we can develop the aerotropolis concept. We believe the project is feasible because Kuala Namu still has a lot of room for future developments," he added.
The airport, which is located about 42 kilometers from the city's old Polonia airport, is equipped with a 3,750-meter runway and 33 aprons that are able to accommodate wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus 330, A380 and Boeing 747.