"The focus will be for Kertajati Airport to provide MRO services, and all aircraft can have their maintenance there. We know that the airport not only serves passengers but also offers cargo and maintenance services. Kertajati will also have non-passenger services. It already has cargo service," Kamil, or popularly known as Emil, noted here on Tuesday.
Emil spoke of an international airlines keen to open its MRO facility at the Kertajati International Airport.
"I have informed the president that an international airlines in Asia is interested to open its MRO facility at the airport," he remarked.
Emil believes that the Kertajati Airport can yet be operated optimally before the completion of the Cisumdawu toll road planned in December 2021.
Kertajati International Airport would serve as the connectivity center in the Rebana Metropolitan, a new industrial area covering 13 industrial cities.
"Here we have Patimban as the maritime city and Kertajati as the aerocity," he stated.
Rebana Metropolitan is projected to drive economic growth in West Java through the development of industrial areas that are integrated, innovative, collaborative, competitive, and sustainable.
Rebana Metropolitan is expected to contribute one percent to the nation’s economic growth.
Emil noted that the central government had supported the area’s development and would issue a Presidential Decree on acceleration of Cirebon-Patimban-Kertajati or Rebana Metropolitan development.
At an earlier limited meeting with President Joko Widodo on Monday (March 29), Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi spoke of having held discussions with the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo on utilizing Kertajati Airport for the maintenance of TNI’s aircraft.
"In future, it can be used for the maintenance of private planes, as earlier they have been conducting the maintenance abroad," he stated.
He also drew attention to the president’s directive that the airport should serve umrah and hajj pilgrims from West Java and some parts of Central Java.
"The president directed that later on, Umrah and Hajj flights for all people of West Java and some parts of Central Java can be concentrated in Kertajati," he revealed. Related news: Toll road to Kertajati airport 60% complete: official
Related news: Passenger occupancy rate at Kertajati Airport reaches 70%
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Ajat Sudrajat, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
