"I have ordered the Transportation Minister to change Nusantara Airport's status to become a commercial airport," he informed at a press conference at Nusantara airport on Tuesday.
This change in status will be more beneficial for the surrounding community, namely for Hajj and Umrah flights, he added.
He estimated that the initial capacity of Nusantara airport could reach 200 thousand passengers by December 2024.
Meanwhile, the long-term target is to serve seven million passengers per year after the airport becomes fully operational as a commercial facility.
He said he will sign a presidential regulation to change the airport's status.
The head of state earlier signed a Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2023 concerning the Acceleration of the Development and Operation of Very Very Important Person (VVIP) Airports to Support the Indonesian Capital City (IKN).
As stated in the official copy of the regulation, the acceleration of the development and operation of VVIP airports needs to be carried out immediately to develop flight infrastructure and support IKN connectivity.
"VVIP Airport is a special airport used to serve the interests of government activities in the IKN," as stated in Article 2 of the presidential decree.
On Tuesday, Widodo made his first landing at Nusantara airport.
"Everything went well during the landing. This is my first time landing at Nusantara Airport. It was very smooth," he informed.
The President boarded an RJ-85 Presidential Aircraft for his trip to IKN this time.
Meanwhile, Minister Sumadi said that preparations for landing the presidential aircraft at Nusantara airport have been carried out since a few weeks ago.
Seeing the current condition, he is optimistic that the airport's construction, with a runway of 3 thousand meters, will be completed within the December 31, 2024, deadline.
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Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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