"I have just checked (the conditions). It is only a matter of administrative requirements between the state airport operator Angkasa Pura II and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU)."
Purbalingga (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has given the assurance that the construction of Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport in Purbalingga District, Central Java Province, will begin in April 2019.

"We will complete the administrative requirements first. Insya Allah (God willing), we will start it by early April. (The construction of the airport), including terminal and runway, will likely be completed in one year," he stated, while inspecting the project at Wirasaba village in Purbalingga District, on Tuesday.

The runway will be 1.6 thousand meters in length, to enable aircraft of ATR types to land, he noted.

The presence of the airport will shorten travel time from Jakarta to Purbalingga, Purwokerto, and surrounding areas, he remarked.

"I have just checked (the conditions). It is only a matter of administrative requirements between the state airport operator Angkasa Pura II and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU)," he explained.

Meanwhile, Angkasa Pura II Technical and Operations Director, Djoko Murjatmodjo, noted that his side is in the process of tendering the construction of the runway of 1.6 thousandmeters in length and 30 meters in width to allow ATR-72 aircraft to land.

"Hopefully, the tender will be completed by late April or early May," he pointed out.

Reporting by Sumarwoto, Suharto
EDITED BY INE

Translator: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019