"We have to prepare at least a 5-hectare plot of land."
Sumenep, East Java (ANTARA News) - The Sumenep district government in Madura Island, East Java, plans to provide a 5-hectare plot of land for the expansion of the Trunojoyo airport in 2013, according to deputy district head, Soengkono Sidik.

He explained that based on a discussion with the Trunojoyo Airport Working Unit, the expansion of the aerodrome in 2013 would need a 5-hectare plot of land.

"To expand the airport in 2013, we have to prepare at least a 5-hectare plot of land, which has been mapped already," Soengkono said, adding that the project would include the expansion of aircraft parking area and the passengers terminal.

"We have to expand the passengers` terminal as soon as possible because we want to make Trunojoyo airport a commercial aerodrome with regular flights," he added.

Early this month, Soengkono expressed optimism that commercial flights to Trunojoyo airport would materialize soon.

"We are certain that commercial flights to Trunojoyo airport will materialize this year because there has been a positive signal from an airline company to do so," Sumenep deputy district head Soengkono Sidik said here on Tuesday.

He noted that the airline company, through its flight academy would make use of Trunojoyo airport in Sumenep as the site of flight training for its students.

"Besides making the airport the site of flight training for its students, the company will also operate its other planes to serve the Sumenep-Surabaya commercial route," Soengkono said.

The Sumenep deputy district head added that he is continuing to coordinate with the leader of the airline company to discuss the plan of the commercial flights connecting the district with East Java`s capital city of Surabaya.

"The flight academy of the airline company will make the airport the site of flight training for its students in the future while making necessary preparations to open commercial flights," he explained.

Soengkono further pointed out that the district government and

the Trunojoyo airport working unit were continuing to work together to step up the facilities and infrastructure at the airport.
(Uu.O001/INE/H-YH/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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