Certainly, there may be a change of schedule (for the opening) to become one or two days afterward.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that he expects the Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan (Cisumdawu) Toll Road, which will connect Bandung to Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, to be officially opened on April 15, 2023.

However, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry is the one who will make the call regarding the exact date of the start of the operation of the new highway, he added.

"Still, it is almost certain that it (the toll road) will be opened (in April 2023). Certainly, there may be a change of schedule (for the opening) to become one or two days afterward," he informed at a press conference at the Presidential Office here on Friday.

After attending a limited meeting on the preparations for the 2023 Eid Al-Fitr exodus period, which is estimated to last from April 19–25, the minister said that the opening of the Cisumdawu Toll Road is aimed at supporting the implementation of the homecoming activities.

In addition, the operation of the highway is intended at increasing aviation activities at Kertajati Airport, he added.

He said that he had been instructed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to develop Kertajati Airport as one of the alternative international airports in Indonesia, especially in the western region of Java Island.

He noted that the Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, West Java, has a short runway, while Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, is quite busy.

"Currently, Kertajati Airport has approximately 3 thousand meters long (runway) and the Antonov cargo plane has been able to land there (at the airport)," Sumadi pointed out.

He was referring to the successful first landing of an Antonov An124-100 aircraft at the airport on Wednesday (March 22, 2023).

He said he hoped that Kertajati Airport will increase its service for various overseas flights, including for goods transport and Umrah pilgrims.

He added that he had visited Saudi Arabia some time ago to meet some Saudi Arabian ministers to discuss the use of the airport for serving Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.


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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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