Kediri Dhoho Airport, Which Was Built By A Salt Warehouse Owned By Susilo Wonowidjojo's Conglomerate, Reaches 51 Percent

JAKARTA - Land work for the construction of Dhoho Airport in Kediri Regency, East Java, has now reached 51 percent and it is planned that in early 2023 it will start operating for commercial flights.

"For land works 51 percent, according to the target, has been achieved. The target should be met in early 2023," said Director of PT Surya Dhoho Investama (SDI) Maksin Arisandi in Kediri, reported by Antara, Saturday, April 24.

He also added that the project was also directly involved with local residents. There are more than 50 percent of residents in the areas directly affected by the airport construction project are involved in this work. The four villages are Jatirejo Village in Bangkan District, Grogol in Grogol, Bulusari and Tarokan Districts in Tarokan District, Kediri Regency.

"So, for this work, more than 50 percent were involved. So, there were four villages directly affected, namely Jatirejo, Grogol, Bulusari, and Tarokan Villages. More than 50 percent was absorbed by (labor)," said Maksin.

In working on the project, he said, it was focused on empowering the surrounding community. After the project is completed, by prioritizing the required competencies and qualifications, they will also be involved. Those who do not meet the qualifications will also be involved.

"If the local residents who do not meet the qualifications will definitely be involved. Why do you have to take those that are far away, if someone is close," he said.

Kediri Regent Haninditho Himawan Pramana appreciated the progress of the airport development. Although there is still land that has not yet been acquired, he is optimistic that the construction can be completed according to the initial plan. Moreover, from the information he received, it is hoped that by early 2023 it will be operational.

"There are some areas that are still lacking, that's 0.4 percent of the total airport. That means, I think PT Gudang Garam, in this case, has communicated well to the parties affected by the (land) acquisition," said the Regent of Kediri.

Groundbreaking for the airport construction in Kediri Regency was carried out on April 15, 2020.

Kediri Airport, located in western Kediri Regency, is the first airport in Indonesia to be built with 100 percent private investment funds by PT Surya Dhoho Investama, a subsidiary of PT Gudang Garam (GGRM) owned by conglomerate Susilo Wonowidjojo.

This airport was built under the Government Cooperation with Business Entity (PPP) scheme. As planned, the land allocated for the airport will be around 300-400 hectares.