he government expects the grand launch of the new Kertajati international airport in Majalengka, West Java, to occur in June next year.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said Friday that after checking the progress of construction, he anticipated Kertajati Airport’s grand launch, which would mark the kicking off of commercial operations, would be in February or March next year, later than expected.
So far, construction progress on the airport, which is expected to handle 8.6 million passengers each year, has reached 32 percent.
(Read also: Ministry appointed to develop Kertajati)
Budi said the runway needed to be extended to 3,000 meters, from the 2,500 meters at present. "At that time, the airport should be able to welcome a Boeing 737," he said.
Kertajadi Airport, worth Rp 10 trillion (US$750.18 million), is being built to ease aircraft and passenger congestion at the country’s main gate, Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang, Banten, and also replace the Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, West Java, as the commercial airport of the region.
Budi, however, said that despite the delayed launch, a soft launch could still be carried out in January or February next year, which would be followed by a trial operation. (lnd)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
We appreciate your feedback.