"I continued to monitor the flight transfer process until the last flight at Kertajati Airport. The officials welcomed the arrival of passengers on the last flight last night and ensured that all passengers were transported by land to their destination cities," Minister Sumadi noted in a press release received here on Monday.
Sumadi praised the stakeholders for the sound cooperation to facilitate the smooth flight transfer process from Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java's provincial capital, to Kertajati Airport.
"I laud Angkasa Pura II (state airport service company), airline companies, the West Java provincial government, West Java Transportation Agency, road transport companies, and other relevant stakeholders, so that the transfer to Kertajati Airport on Sunday, June 30, 2019, can run smoothly without significant obstacles," the minister stated.
During the transfer process, an Air Asia aircraft was the first to land at Kertajati Airport on Sunday (June 30) at 8:00 local time from Denpasar, Bali, followed by a Garuda Indonesia flight from Denpasar that landed at 14:15 in Kertajati, a Lion Air flight from Pontianak, West Kalimantan, to Kertajati at 21:00 and another Lion Air plane from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, landed in Kertajati at 20:12 local time.
With regard to the continued mass transit, aircraft passengers can take buses, such as Damri, to get to their destination cities after landing at Kertajati Airport. On Sunday, several flight passengers had opted for Damri buses that will be free of charge for a month for air travelers from Kertajati Airport.
Aircraft passengers can also travel by online taxis and private vehicles.
"Dissemination of information pertaining to advanced transportation for aircraft passengers should be intensified, so they face no confusion to continue their trips to their destination cities after landing," the minister stated.
Related news: Lion Air to start operations in Kertajati Airport in July
He expressed hope that with the transfer of these flights, Kertajati Airport would become the hub of activities and have a positive impact by promoting equitable economic development in West Java, particularly in Kertajati, Majalengka, and surrounding areas, such as Cirebon, Patimban, and Kertapati.
"We are optimistic that Kertajati Airport would show rapid progress and development, so as to encourage equal economic development for the people in West Java," Minister Sumadi stated.
In future, the construction of road infrastructure and provision of mass transportation facilities to ease travel to Kertajati Airport are being expedited. The construction will also cover supporting facilities around Kertajati Airport, such as hotels, food centers, and souvenirs.
"I am upbeat that the regional government in West Java and related parties, such as hotel businessmen, travel agents, and tour operators, would continue to promote Kertajati Airport to the public by giving hotel discounts to passengers, who will fly through Kertajati Airport, among other things," he added.
In addition to moving flights out of Java from Bandung's Husein Sastranegara Airport to Kertajati Airport, another step taken by the government in optimizing Kertajati Airport's operations is to make it one of the flight centers for hajj and umrah (minor hajj) pilgrimages.
"The government is building infrastructure through long-term investment. All infrastructure will definitely be beneficial for the people in future," the minister added. Related news: W. Java discusses capital participation of AP II in Kertajati Airport
Related news: Garuda to operate from Kertajati Airport
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Translator: Ahmad Wijaya/Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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