It is designed as though we are under a teak forest, as Blora District is quite famous for the forest.Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Ngloram Airport in Cepu Sub-district, Blora District, Central Java Province, Friday, for the commencement of commercial operations.
"Alhamdulillah (all praises be to God), Ngloram Airport is ready to serve the public," he remarked.
The airport has a runway measuring 1,500 meters (m) in length to accommodate ATR 72 aircraft, the president said.
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The head of state quoted information from Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi that the facility had served commercial flights twice a week, every Mondays and Fridays, and operating at full capacity.
"If length of the current runway is inadequate to serve more flights, then we will extend it to two thousand meters (m)," Jokowi said.
The 27-hectare airport is expected to expedite economic activity in the districts of Blora, Bojonegoro, Tubang, Ngawi, Purwodadi, and Rembang.
"It will be closer for the passengers to board a flight from Ngloram Airport. We also expect the people’s mobility and economic activities to improve in addition to more investment flowing into the districts of Cepu and Bojonegoro, as well as facilitating the distribution of goods among regions and provinces,” the president noted.
In addition, Jokowi praised the design of the airport’s passenger terminal.
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"The terminal is quite large to accommodate around 210 thousand passengers per year. It is designed as though we are under a teak forest, as Blora District is quite famous for the forest. It is nice," he stated.
Currently, Citilink -- the subsidiary of Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia -- has been operating at the airport since November 26, 2021, to serve flights from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta.
Earlier, the facility was owned by state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero) to support the company's operations. However, the airport had not been operated since 1984.
Thus, the Transportation Ministry revitalized the facility by conducting activities, such as coating as well as developing the runway extensions, taxiways, aprons, safety fences, and passenger terminals, with a budget of Rp132 billion during the 2019-2021 period.
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It has a runway measuring 1,500 m x 30 m, taxiway of 142 m x 23 m, apron of 90 m x 60 m, and passenger terminal of 3,526 square meters.
The airport’s design was obtained through a competition.
On the occasion, Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, and other related officials.
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Translator: Desca Natalia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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